Enhancing the preparation for the upcoming haj season, SpiceJet on Friday finalised a lease agreement for two wide-body A340 planes to strengthen its fleet operations during the pilgrimage journey.
The wide-body aircraft will be operated from key cities like Srinagar and Guwahati. The move underscores the airline’s commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences while maximising revenue streams.
“We are happy to announce the finalisation of the lease agreement for the induction of two wide-body A340 aircraft into our fleet, further enhancing our capacity to serve the needs of our passengers, especially during the upcoming Haj operations. These A340s will not only elevate our service standards but also play a vital role in enhancing our revenue Streams,” Head of Leasing and Legal, SpiceJet Chandan Sand said.
The Gurugram-based airline mentioned that special flights are scheduled to operate from seven cities across the country including Srinagar, Gaya, Guwahati, Bhopal, Indore, Aurangabad, and Vijayawada.
Notably, the low-cost carrier operated more than 200 special Haj flights last year, carrying over 21,000 pilgrims.
SpiceJet’s fleet expansion
The A340 aircraft has a seating capacity of 324 people, which will play a crucial role in SpiceJet’s Haj operations. The Haj season is scheduled to commence its first phase in Medina on May 9, 2024. The Airbus A340 is a wide-body passenger aircraft that was developed and produced by Airbus.
In 2023, SpiceJet’s Haj operations generated substantial revenue of Rs 337 Crore. Similarly, the airline aims to replicate this success in the current year’s operations.
The airline is presently pursuing opportunities to expand its fleet through long-term lease agreements, which will not only bolster SpiceJet’s existing fleet but also facilitate the expansion of our network.