Lessor seizes SpiceJet’s Ahmedabad-Dubai flight at DWC airport

Ahmedabad: A SpiceJet flight, en route from Ahmedabad to Dubai (SG 15), was unexpectedly rerouted and impounded by its lessor on November 30. Now, in the latest development, the flight has been released following an order from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Court.

A SpiceJet spokesperson has revealed during the hearing on December 7 (Thursday), the DIFC Court ruled in favor of SpiceJet, lifting the earlier freezing order. The judge not only revoked the order but also called for an investigation into the losses experienced by SpiceJet due to the order. Additionally, the court has stipulated compensation to cover the legal costs incurred by SpiceJet throughout this challenging period, as conveyed by the airline spokesperson.

The flight departed Ahmedabad at 12:12 a.m. on November 30, and just 10 minutes away from landing at Dubai International Airport, it was asked to divert to Dubai’s secondary airport, Al Maktoum International (Dubai World Central, or DWC). Upon landing at DWC, after all the passengers disembarked, the aircraft was seized by lessors.

The Boeing 737 NG aircraft, leased from Carlyle Aviation Partners in December 2018, has been grounded since. SpiceJet had allegedly incurred overdue payments for the plane. Although attempts to reach Carlyle Aviation Partners for comments were unsuccessful, industry sources suggest that an engine lessor secured a court order to ground the aircraft for engine removal.

Responding to inquiries, a SpiceJet spokesperson stated, “The aircraft was diverted to DWC based on an ex-parte order.” When asked about plans to retrieve the aircraft, the spokesperson mentioned, “Currently, there is no restriction on bringing the aircraft back to India.” DeshGujarat