SpiceJet has signed a lease agreement for ten additional Boeing 737s, with the Indian low-cost carrier taking delivery of the aircraft from September 2023. Although a full breakdown of the 737 variants that make up the agreement has not been announced, a minimum of five of the ten aircraft are believed to be 737 MAXs.
This strategic move will equip SpiceJet to reap the benefits of the height Indian travel season, by launching recent routes and boosting the capability and frequency of its existing services.
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SpiceJet’s Director, Ajay Singh, commented on the brand new additions to the fleet, saying,
“There was a major surge in passenger demand, and we’re hopeful that this trend of increased demand will proceed within the latter a part of the yr as well. We will likely be inducting ten B737 aircraft between September and October 2023. The induction of those planes, which coincides with the height travel season in India, will help us launch recent routes and strengthen our presence on existing ones.”
A growing fleet of Boeing 737s
Along with the lease agreement for ten Boeing 737s, SpiceJet can be working on bringing several of its grounded aircraft back into service. The airline recently signed a lease agreement with the engine services provider FTAI Aviation for 20 engines, which will likely be the driving force behind the aircraft returning to the fleet. FTAI may also provide regular maintenance services, with the aim of minimizing aircraft downtime and maximizing operational efficiency.
In keeping with the newest data from ch-aviation.com, SpiceJet’s fleet is currently made up of 64 aircraft, including 37 Boeing 737s (eight 737-700s, 15 737-800s, three 737-900s, and 11 737 MAX 8s). The airline also has an excellent order for a powerful 129 737 MAX 8s, although this pales into insignificance in comparison with low-cost rival IndiGo’s rumored upcoming order for 500 aircraft.
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On its regional services, and at airports unable to handle larger aircraft, SpiceJet operates a sub-fleet of 26 Dash 8-Q400 aircraft, each carrying between 78 and 90 passengers, and with a median age of ten years.
Tapping right into a rapidly recovering market
The Indian aviation market has rebounded strongly following the pandemic, and SpiceJet is keen to ride that wave of growth. Several recent routes have been announced in recent weeks, including Agartala (IXA) to Chittagong (CHI), and Manipur (IMF) to Mandalay (MDL). Last winter, the airline also operated a singular seasonal route with its Boeing 737 MAX 8s, connecting Amritsar (ATQ) with two destinations in Italy – Rome (FCO) and Bergamo (BGY).
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It stays to be seen on which routes SpiceJet will deploy the extra ten Boeing 737s, but one thing is definite – the yr ahead is looking busier than ever for Indian airlines.
What do you’re thinking that of SpiceJet’s plans to accumulate ten more Boeing 737s? On which routes would you prefer to see the airline operating the extra aircraft? Have you ever traveled on considered one of the airline’s existing 737s? Share your thoughts and experiences by commenting below.