SpiceJet, the low-cost airline, has taken its battle to the Supreme Court following a Delhi High Court decision that mandated the grounding of three of its aircraft engines due to non-payment issues. The airline is seeking an urgent hearing on the matter, with the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud responding to their plea.
The controversy stems from a ruling on September 11 by the Delhi High Court, which found that SpiceJet had not adhered to an interim agreement concerning the payment of dues to engine lessors. This decision upheld a previous order by a single judge bench, which directed the airline on August 14 to ground the engines by August 16 and return them to the lessors, Team France 01 SAS and Sunbird France 02 SAS.
Chief Justice Chandrachud instructed SpiceJet’s counsel to proceed with an email circulation for expedited hearing requests, highlighting the urgency with which the airline is pursuing relief from the apex court. The grounding of these engines poses significant operational challenges and potential financial setbacks for the airline, which is keen on overturning the High Court’s order.
