Domestic carrier SpiceJet on Friday said it is expecting three of its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to become operationalised by April next year.
The airline stated that it has partnered with US-based MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) provider StandardAero to restore its Boeing 737-8 MAX fleet. StandardAero also offers MRO services for CFM LEAP-1B engines, which power SpiceJet’s Boeing 737 MAX planes.
SpiceJet currently has 36 grounded aircraft, including seven Boeing 737 MAX planes. The airline aims to bring these planes back into service by the end of 2026.
Earlier, SpiceJet had signed an agreement with CFM International—the manufacturer of LEAP-1B engines—and the lessors for its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
SpiceJet chairman and managing director Ajay Singh said the return of three fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX planes would provide a significant boost to the airline’s financial health.
The airline has been working to strengthen its fleet and resolve outstanding disputes after raising ₹3,000 crore recently.
In the past two months, it has resolved disputes with multiple lessors, including Export Development Canada, Engine Lease Finance Corporation, Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management, Aircastle (Ireland), Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) and Shannon Engine Support.
On Thursday, SpiceJet settled a dispute of over $16 million with Dublin-headquartered commercial aircraft leasing company Genesis Aircraft Services.
Under the agreement, SpiceJet will pay Genesis $6 million and Genesis will acquire $4 million in SpiceJet equity for Rs 100 per share.
The airline has also recently cleared all the employee statutory dues including PF and GST.