The Delhi High Court has refused to urgently hear SpiceJet’s request to stop the grounding of three of its aircraft engines. The airline was ordered to ground these engines by today and hand them over to the lessors within 15 days. SpiceJet wanted an immediate hearing but the court said it couldn’t fit it into today’s schedule, so the case will be heard on August 20.
The airline’s lawyer, Amit Sibal, argued that grounding the engines would cause significant issues, including the grounding of two aircraft, leading to flight cancellations and passenger inconvenience. He urged the court to consider the matter after lunch, but the judges insisted they needed time to review the case documents.
The initial order, issued on August 14, required SpiceJet to ground the engines and allow the lessors, Team France 01 SAS and Sunbird France 02 SAS, to inspect them at Delhi airport. The lessors had terminated their lease agreements and demanded the return of the engines, along with the payment of overdue amounts.
The court emphasized that SpiceJet must comply with its obligations and make the necessary payments, totaling $4.8 million, as previously agreed. The judge noted that the airline is in default and has no right to continue using the engines, which are depreciating in value due to ongoing use.
SpiceJet admitted to missing payments but requested more time until September 30 to clear the dues. The court, however, found the lessors’ claims justified and stressed that continuing to allow SpiceJet to use the engines without payment would only worsen the financial situation for the lessors.
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