+
Delhi HC asks SpiceJet to respond to lessors petition
AVIATION & AIRPORTS

Delhi HC asks SpiceJet to respond to lessors petition

The Delhi High Court directed low-cost airline SpiceJet to submit its response to a petition seeking enforcement of an order requiring the grounding of three aircraft engines and their handover to the lessors. The court also instructed SpiceJet to file an affidavit detailing its assets and scheduled the next hearing for the execution petition on 13th November. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora issued a notice to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), directing a senior official to appear before the court on 13th November, along with a status report confirming compliance with the court's 14th August order. The DGCA is expected to provide an update on the re-delivery status of the engines in the report. In its 14th August order, the high court had instructed SpiceJet to ground the three engines by 16th August and deliver them to their lessors within 15 days. The court further directed that the lessors, Team France 01 SAS and Sunbird France 02 SAS, be allowed to inspect the engines through their authorised representatives at Delhi airport within seven days. SpiceJet challenged this order before a division bench of the high court, which upheld the ruling. Subsequently, the Supreme Court also upheld the decision. On Monday, SpiceJet's counsel informed the court that while the airline was prepared to hand over the engines, it needed to procure a technical device known as an engine stand, which would take approximately 30 days. The airline indicated that the lessors were free to procure the stands sooner if possible. Senior advocate Amit Sibal, representing SpiceJet, emphasised that the airline was no longer using the engines. The lessors' counsel, senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao, opposed this submission, pointing out that SpiceJet had been aware since 14th August of the court’s directive to return the engines, and its failure to procure the engine stands in the intervening time could not be justified. The court granted the lessors permission to procure the engine stands at SpiceJet’s risk and cost if done sooner. The court also noted that SpiceJet had not been granted a stay on the 14th August order and that the airline provided no explanation for not securing the engine stands after the division bench's 11th September ruling. Regarding the inspection of the engines, SpiceJet's counsel assured the court that the airline would ensure the inspection is completed by 7th October, provided the lessors submit the names of their representatives that day.

The lessors’ counsel further noted that since the 14th August order had been upheld by both the high court's division bench and the Supreme Court, the airline’s failure to comply within the specified timeframe led to two emails being sent to DGCA officials, which had yet to receive a response. The single-judge bench had passed the 14th August order following pleas from the lessors, seeking the return of the engines after the termination of the lease agreements.

The Delhi High Court directed low-cost airline SpiceJet to submit its response to a petition seeking enforcement of an order requiring the grounding of three aircraft engines and their handover to the lessors. The court also instructed SpiceJet to file an affidavit detailing its assets and scheduled the next hearing for the execution petition on 13th November. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora issued a notice to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), directing a senior official to appear before the court on 13th November, along with a status report confirming compliance with the court's 14th August order. The DGCA is expected to provide an update on the re-delivery status of the engines in the report. In its 14th August order, the high court had instructed SpiceJet to ground the three engines by 16th August and deliver them to their lessors within 15 days. The court further directed that the lessors, Team France 01 SAS and Sunbird France 02 SAS, be allowed to inspect the engines through their authorised representatives at Delhi airport within seven days. SpiceJet challenged this order before a division bench of the high court, which upheld the ruling. Subsequently, the Supreme Court also upheld the decision. On Monday, SpiceJet's counsel informed the court that while the airline was prepared to hand over the engines, it needed to procure a technical device known as an engine stand, which would take approximately 30 days. The airline indicated that the lessors were free to procure the stands sooner if possible. Senior advocate Amit Sibal, representing SpiceJet, emphasised that the airline was no longer using the engines. The lessors' counsel, senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao, opposed this submission, pointing out that SpiceJet had been aware since 14th August of the court’s directive to return the engines, and its failure to procure the engine stands in the intervening time could not be justified. The court granted the lessors permission to procure the engine stands at SpiceJet’s risk and cost if done sooner. The court also noted that SpiceJet had not been granted a stay on the 14th August order and that the airline provided no explanation for not securing the engine stands after the division bench's 11th September ruling. Regarding the inspection of the engines, SpiceJet's counsel assured the court that the airline would ensure the inspection is completed by 7th October, provided the lessors submit the names of their representatives that day. The lessors’ counsel further noted that since the 14th August order had been upheld by both the high court's division bench and the Supreme Court, the airline’s failure to comply within the specified timeframe led to two emails being sent to DGCA officials, which had yet to receive a response. The single-judge bench had passed the 14th August order following pleas from the lessors, seeking the return of the engines after the termination of the lease agreements.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

NABARD Holds Seminar on Vigilance, Integrity and Good Governance

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) organised a seminar on “Vigilance: Strengthening Integrity and Good Governance” on 25 August 2026 at its Head Office in Mumbai as part of the ongoing Vigilance Awareness Campaign 2026 being observed from 17 August to 16 November 2026, with the theme “Probity for Prosperity."" The seminar was graced by Suresh N Patel, Former Central Vigilance Commissioner, Government of India, as the chief guest and keynote speaker.  The programme was attended by G S Rawat, Deputy Managing Director, Dr Ajay K Sood, Deputy Managing Dire..

Next Story
Equipment

XCMG Unveils World's First 14,000-Ton Ring Crane for Heavy Lifting

XCMG has announced that the first main unit of the world's first 14,000-ton ring crane has rolled off the production line, marking a historic breakthrough in ultra-heavy lifting technology. Jointly developed by XCMG and Sinopec Heavy Lifting & Transportation Co., Ltd., the crane will be the largest-capacity ring crane ever built, setting a new benchmark for major construction projects worldwide.The crane features a modular configuration comprising two main units that work in tandem. The first main unit has completed final assembly and can independently perform lifting operations. Once both..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Thriveni Logistics orders 200 tip trailers from Jagdamba trailers

Jagdamba Trailers (JTPL), one of India’s growing trailer manufacturers, has secured a significant order for 200 Tip Trailers from Thriveni Transport and Logistics Pvt. Ltd., a leading mining and logistics company serving operations across India and overseas.The order, placed for iron ore transportation, is a major milestone for JTPL, particularly as the company secured the business after competing with more than 10 established trailer manufacturers. It also strengthens an already successful relationship between the two companies. Approximately one and a half years ago, Thriveni Transport and..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code