HC asks DGCA to de-register six SpiceJet aircraft

Gives the regulator 2 weeks to settle Irish firms' plea to export the planes

The Delhi High Court today directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to deregister six aircraft given on lease to low-cost airline SpiceJet by two Irish firms.

Justice Rajiv Shakdher, while issuing the direction to DGCA, also said that the aviation regulator will decide in two weeks the Irish firms' plea to export the planes, majority of which are Boeing 737 aircraft.

Currently, SpiceJet operates 32 aircraft.

The judgement came on the pleas of AWAS Ireland Ltd and Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Ltd, who had moved the court seeking directions to the DGCA to de-register the aircraft they had given on lease to SpiceJet and for which the airline had allegedly not paid dues.

Reacting to the High Court ruling, SpiceJet said it would take further course of action but only after evaluating the order. The airline also said that it was negotiating with the lessors for a mutual settlement.

"We are studying the order, if so advised we will take matter to the higher judicial forum. Dialogues are on to settle the dispute amicably," a SpiceJet spokesperson said in a statement.

Another bench of the High Court has reserved its verdict on a plea of another Irish firm, B&B Air Acquisition, to ground five aircraft leased by it to SpiceJet till registration of the planes was cancelled by DGCA.