NEW DELHI: Because of its latest Rs 3,000-crore funding, SpiceJet has knowledgeable the Directorate Basic of Civil Aviation (DGCA) it plans to have all its grounded planes again within the air inside 18-24 months.
Ajay Singh’s airline has earmarked Rs 400 crore for spares, upkeep and engineering for this job. Within the interim, it’ll additionally wet-lease some planes (rent planes with working crew) to support capability, that is what SpiceJet engineering knowledgeable the DGCA final Friday when the airline was referred to as for his or her post-funding plans relating to operational fleet dimension.
The extra comes at a time when the regulator is finalising the winter schedule of flights that can be efficient from this month’s finish. “The airline knowledgeable seven grounded plane can be flying once more by the calendar year-end,” mentioned sources.
Earlier than it not too long ago secured funding, greater than half of SpiceJet’s fleet had been grounded. As on June 30, 2024, 36 of its 64 planes have been grounded. And of the 28 airworthy planes, barely a couple of have been flying. Clearly, the airline desires to vary that shortly. After securing the funding, SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh advised TOI the airline goals to have a fleet of 100 plane by the tip of 2026.
On Tuesday, the airline introduced it’ll have 10 extra planes flying by Nov-end by leasing seven and ungrounding three. Agreements for these seven leased plane have been signed and they need to be inducted by Nov 15. “Two of those leased plane have already arrived in India and are scheduled for rapid induction. SpiceJet can even operationalise its grounded planes in phases, with the primary three set to re-enter service earlier than the tip of November,” the airline mentioned in an announcement.
“This fleet enlargement follows SpiceJet’s profitable certified institutional placement (QIP) (for) Rs 3,000 crore…. Along with the QIP, the airline is about to obtain a further Rs 736 crore from a earlier funding spherical, additional bolstering its monetary stability and progress trajectory,” the airline mentioned.
SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh mentioned: “This addition is essential as we proceed to fulfill the rising demand for air journey whereas strengthening our operational capabilities. With the capital raised, SpiceJet is well-positioned to supply improved providers and an expanded route community. We’re dedicated to delivering seamless, dependable, and reasonably priced journey, and we’re excited in regards to the future for each the airline and our passengers.”
