SpiceJet to add 7 planes; infuse Rs 500 cr in April

As it embarks on a revival path, budget carrier SpiceJet plans to lease seven more Boeing 737 aircraft by May while another Rs 500 crore is expected to be infused by its new owner Ajay Singh next month.

Singh has already pumped in Rs 500 crore into the carrier after he took over control last month from erstwhile promoters, the Maran family, as part of the airline’s revival plan.

“We plan to induct seven more Boeing 737 planes between April and May, which would take our total Boeing fleet size to 22,” a top source at the airline said.

The source, who did not wish to be named, said that Singh recently had discussions with some of the aircraft leasing firms. SpiceJet currently has 17 Boeing 737s and 15 Bombardier Q400s in its fleet.

Singh’s talks with the new lessors came amid SpiceJet being dragged into litigation by some of its existing lessors over the alleged aircraft rental defaults.

The airline has already settled one such dispute while sources said that the carrier is in advanced discussions for an out-of-court settlement in other similar cases. Singh is likely to pump in another Rs 500 crore in April.

“Singh plans to infuse Rs 500 crore more in SpiceJet around April 15 as part of his overall investment of Rs 1,500 crore in the carrier,” the source said.

Following the ownership change, the cash flows as well as operations have seen significant improvement at the carrier, the source said.