SpiceJet (SG), Gurgaon-based Indian LCC, faced continuous hurdles over financial, operational and regulatory issues with continued focus on rebuilding its operations.
Change in Fleet Composition
The carrier currently has 11 aircraft in service, comprising nine Boeing 737s and two De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400s. The Boeing fleet includes two 737-700s, three 737-800s, three 737 MAX 8s and one 737-900ER. Two wet-leased aircraft owned by Corendon Airlines, 9H-TJF and 9H-CXD, ended their agreements and were ferried back to Europe on June 26. SpiceJet once operated a much larger fleet across an extensive domestic and international network. That capacity has been reduced steadily due to financial pressures, lease terminations and supply chain constraints. As a result, the airline has cut frequencies and suspended several routes, while rivals such as Air India (AI), IndiGo (6E) and Akasa Air (QP) have continued to expand. Last September, only 18 of SpiceJet’s 53 aircraft were in active service, according to ch-aviation data, with the remainder grounded due to supply chain bottlenecks and engine overhaul delays. SpiceJet now operates fewer aircraft than the much newer Akasa Air.
Plan to rebuild capacity
SpiceJet is working to reverse the decline. Earlier this month, the airline announced plans to induct three damp-leased Airbus A320s and return one grounded Boeing 737 MAX to commercial service. Indian media reported the A320s are expected to join the fleet in July. In February, SpiceJet signed a memorandum of understanding for the induction of 10 additional aircraft, part of a “calibrated ramp-up” toward a 60-aircraft fleet through a mix of wet and damp leases, along with the phased return of grounded jets. As of June, that target had not been reached. SpiceJet said its recovery has “gathered pace in recent months,” citing a doubling of Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) over the 2025-26 winter season. Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer at SpiceJet, said the airline is seeing “growing confidence in the business and strong demand across the network.” He added that the focus remains on restoring capacity, strengthening connectivity and improving reliability for passengers.
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