Delhi High Court orders SpiceJet to respond on aircraft engine grounding petition, DGCA summoned for status update

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to low-cost airline SpiceJet, directing the carrier to file a response to a petition. The petition seeks the execution of an order that requires SpiceJet to ground three aircraft engines and hand them over to their lessors. The court also requested SpiceJet to submit an affidavit listing its assets and scheduled the execution petition for further hearing on November 13.

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora also summoned the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure compliance with the court’s previous order and provide a status report on the re-delivery of the engines. The court emphasized the importance of the DGCA’s confirmation of the airline’s adherence to the court’s directions.

In the previous order dated August 14, the high court had instructed SpiceJet to ground the three engines by August 16 and return them to their lessors within 15 days. The court further mandated the airline to allow the lessors to conduct a prior inspection of the engines at the Delhi airport.

SpiceJet had attempted to challenge the order before a division bench of the high court, but the decision was upheld. The Supreme Court also affirmed the high court’s order, solidifying the directives regarding the return of the engines.

During the recent court proceedings, SpiceJet’s legal counsel stated that the airline is prepared to hand over the engines but requires additional time to procure necessary technical equipment, specifically, engine stands. This request was contested by the lessors’ representative, who highlighted the airline’s knowledge of the order since August 14 and their failure to take action in procuring the required equipment.

The court granted the lessors the liberty to procure the engine stands at the airline’s expense and directed SpiceJet to facilitate the inspection of the engines as per the previous order.

The lessors’ counsel expressed concern over the lack of response from the DGCA following their attempts to communicate regarding the enforcement of the court’s directives.

The high court’s August 14 order stemmed from petitions filed by the lessors, seeking the return of the engines following the termination of lease agreements. The court clarified that while the return of the engines is essential, SpiceJet remains liable for outstanding payments as specified in previous court orders.

The case is set to continue with a focus on ensuring the airline’s compliance with the court’s directives and addressing the lessors’ petition for the return of the aircraft engines.

The hearing is scheduled to resume on November 13, at which time SpiceJet and the DGCA will provide updates on the implementation of the court’s orders.

(With agency inputs)