SpiceJet Fights Delhi HC Order in Engine Dispute

SpiceJet's Fight to Keep Aircraft Engines Flying

SpiceJet filed a motion in the Supreme Court on Thursday (September 12, 2024), contesting a Delhi High Court ruling that grounded three of its aircraft engines due to nonpayment to lessors. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud led a bench that instructed the airline's legal representative to email in order to get an expedited hearing for the company's appeal of the September 11 High Court decision.

“Please circulate the e-mail,” the CJI said

A single-judge court ordered the low-cost airline to ground the three engines, and a division bench of the Delhi High Court affirmed this decision, ruling that the carrier had breached an interim arrangement for payment of dues.

SpiceJet was ordered by the high court's single judge bench on August 14 to stop using three of its engines by August 16 and turn them over to Team France 01 SAS and Sunbird France 02 SAS, who are their lessors.

On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court maintained a decision directing low-cost carrier SpiceJet to stop operating three of its engines because it was past due on its payments to French lessors. SpiceJet, which has been battling financial difficulties, including legal disputes over aircraft leasing, suffered a severe blow by this verdict.