SpiceJet (SG, Delhi International) has appealed a September 2024 Delhi High Court ruling that found it had fraudulently and illegally terminated the services of specialist Hajj operator Aerocare Aviation Services Pvt. Ltd.
A December 11 order from the same court has stayed execution of the judgment pending the carrier making a decretal payment of INR120 million (USD1.41 million) into an specified escrow account. The initial judgment saw Aerocare awarded INR317 million rupees (USD3.7 million).
The matter relates to SpiceJet using Aerocare and affiliated entities to develop Hajj operations last decade before abruptly terminating the contract and proceeding to successfully tender for and operate Hajj flights, allegedly relying on what it had learned from Aerocare about undertaking the highly specialised flights.
Earlier this month, SpiceJet said it had secured the rights to operate Hajj flights in 2025 from Kolkata, Guwahati, Gaya, and Srinagar, expecting to carry about 15,500 pilgrims on more than 100 flights. The airline has been operating Hajj flights since 2019 and says they have proved a significant source of revenue. The low-cost carrier expects to generate INR1.85 billion (USD21.8 million) from its 2025 flights.
SpiceJet did not respond to a request for comment about the appeal.
