FTAI Aviation will lease up to 20 engines to SpiceJet to reactivate its grounded fleet over the next couple of months. “This partnership will reduce the reduce maintenance expense and minimise aircraft downtime, enhancing the airline's overall performance,” SpiceJet said in a statement.
SpiceJet began reviving 25 of its grounded fleet with some spare funds and 50 million credit line through Indian Government’s Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).
“SpiceJet is slowly but surely progressing towards its goal of restoring its fleet and ensuring that our aircraft stay where they rightly belong to i.e. in the skies serving our passengers,” commented Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet.
The partnership with FTAI Aviation is a step in that direction that would ensure that the fleet is up and running at all times without worries about engines or their maintenance.
"Quick and ready replacements will ensure that our planes are on the ground for minimal time,” Singh added.
On June 7, SpiceJet commenced Haj operations by operating special flights from Bhopal, Gaya, Vijayawada, Aurangabad and Srinagar.
The airline has inducted two wide-body A340 aircraft for its Haj operations. SpiceJet will operate these special flights to Jeddah between June 7 and June 22. Return flights from Medina are also scheduled from July 17 to August 2.