New Delhi — SpiceJet has finalized a lease deal to bring five Boeing 737 aircraft into its fleet, with operations expected to commence by October 2025, just ahead of India’s winter travel season, according to multiple sources.
The aircraft will arrive on a damp lease basis—meaning operational crew will be shared between the lessor and SpiceJet—allowing for a quicker ramp-up in capacity without full staffing overheads .
Scaling Up For Peak Travel
Debojo Maharshi, SpiceJet’s Chief Business Officer, described the move as a strategic enhancement designed to support the upcoming winter schedule and early summer 2026 traffic surge. “This addition will significantly strengthen our fleet and enable us to deliver a superior flying experience,” he said.
This will build on SpiceJet’s broader recovery efforts, which include restoring previously grounded aircraft and expanding network connectivity. Since October 2024, the airline has added ten aircraft—seven newly leased and three that were previously grounded—and launched more than 60 new flights in the last few months alone .
Context to the Expansion
This fleet deployment follows SpiceJet’s recent push to re‑activate its Boeing 737 MAX jets. As of mid‑April 2025, the airline aimed to bring back a total of ten grounded aircraft, including four 737 MAX models, under restoration partnerships with StandardAero and CFM International .
Despite past financial turbulence and fleet downsizing, this leasing agreement marks a notable shift. SpiceJet’s domestic market share had fallen to around 1.9% in June 2025, though the airline is actively pursuing further capacity additions through negotiations with other lessors .
Implications for Network and Operations
- Capacity boost: The new 737s will help meet growing seasonal demand on domestic and short-haul international routes.
- Operational flexibility: A damp lease provides rapid integration with lower upfront investment and staffing obligations.
- Strategic momentum: This reinforces SpiceJet’s resurgence following debt restructuring and network expansion plans
