Spicejet Loses Leased Planes In India
India's DGCA agreed to de-register three SpiceJet aircraft so that the owner can take them back. The move was requested by several leasing companies, who wanted to repossess a total of five planes. This happened earlier in the month.
Three planes leased to SpiceJet by SMBC Aviation Capital are no longer registered. Their names are VT-MXF, VT-MXJ, and VT-SZJ. The first two are B737-8s and not being used. The third, a B737-800, is getting maintenance work done in Chennai.
CDB Aviation wants to take back two B737-8s from SpiceJet but has stopped their de-registration request. SpiceJet claims this won't affect their operations and they're concentrating on getting their planes back in service.
SpiceJet is dealing with two issues. A company wants to take back their planes. Another company says they didn't pay $6 million. The planes have already left the fleet. They will have a hearing on May 25.
Credit Suisse took SpiceJet to India's Supreme Court for a USD4.4 million unpaid bill for aircraft engine and part supply and maintenance. SpiceJet promised to make monthly payments of USD500,000, which would total USD1.5 million by mid-July when the case is next addressed.
The boss of SpiceJet, Ajay Singh, wants to raise money and get its planes flying again. He says people talking about SpiceJet going out of business are wrong. He is not going to give up on SpiceJet.
