SpiceJet (SG, Delhi International) has opened negotiations with Boeing (BOE, Washington National) to bring forward the proposed initial delivery of forty-two B737 MAX 8s which the carrier committed to roughly a year ago.
The LCC's Chief Operating Officer (COO), Sanjiv Kapoor, told India's DNA newswire that his airline is looking to expedite deliveries by one year from 2018 to 2017.
"The net increase in our fleet size during the peak season (summer) will be seven aircraft which will include 4-8 aircraft on dry lease and three on wet lease. We are also trying to advance the delivery of B737-MAXs from 2018 to 2017," he said.
On Wednesday last week, SpiceJet also announced that it had reached an in-principle agreement with lessors B&B Air Acquisitions Leasing, Steddel, Torodell, Xavier Dell and Virgodell - all of which are managed by Ireland's BBAM Aircraft Leasing & Finance - with regards to five B737-800s the carrier had leased. The firms, which are claiming over INR1 billion (USD16 million) in unpaid leasing dues, have agreed to withdrawn their winding up petition filed against Spicejet in the Madras High Court.
"Spicejet Ltd has informed BSE that the Company (SpiceJet Limited) has entered into an in-principle understanding with its five (5) lessors managed by BBAM Aircraft Leasing and Finance with regard to five (5) aircraft operated by the Company," Spicejet said in a stock market filing. "Under the said understanding, the lessors have agreed to suspend court proceedings (including winding-up proceedings) and deregistration process of aircraft subject to SpiceJet satisfying the terms of settlement and parties executing definitive agreements."
Kapoor says a similar dispute over three aircraft leased from Singapore's BOC Aviation has already been resolved while talks with Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services (AWAS) over three other aircraft are currently ongoing.
