Another Blow To SpiceJet As Irish Lessors Demand 4 Boeing 737-MAX Aircraft Back

Irish lessors Sky High LXXX Leasing Company Ltd and Sky High LXXVII Leasing Company Ltd have asked India's DGCA to de-register and repossess four Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft leased to SpiceJet.

The aircraft (VT-MXA, VT-MXC, VT-MAX, VT-MXB) are grounded in Hyderabad, Delhi, and Amritsar, and the repossession requests use the IDERA framework under the Cape Town Convention.

SpiceJet states the aircraft have been grounded due to engine manufacturing issues and that their removal will not affect operations, while discussions with lessors continue.

The repossession removes capacity for future growth, and SpiceJet's active fleet has shrunk to around 21 aircraft, with domestic market share falling to 2.5% in May and on-time performance at 26.5%.