Thu Sep 12 13:06:00 UTC 2024: ## SpiceJet Appeals to Supreme Court Over Grounded Engines
**New Delhi:** Budget airline SpiceJet has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, challenging a Delhi High Court order that directed the grounding of three of its aircraft engines due to unpaid lease payments. The High Court’s decision came after SpiceJet defaulted on payments to lessors Team France 01 SAS and Sunbird France 02 SAS.
The High Court bench, comprising Justices Rajiv Shakdher and Amit Bansal, ruled that SpiceJet’s financial condition was weak and its attempts to secure funding through loans or equity indicated their inability to meet the lease obligations. They concluded that grounding the engines was the only way to ensure the lessors would not be left without either the engines or their due payments.
The High Court had previously issued an order on August 14th demanding SpiceJet ground the engines and hand them over to the lessors within 15 days. The airline subsequently appealed this order to the division bench but failed to overturn the decision.
In a statement, the High Court bench emphasized that allowing SpiceJet to use the lessors’ assets without payment would unfairly disadvantage both parties. The court highlighted the depreciating nature of the engines, rendering them less valuable if used without compensation.
SpiceJet is now seeking urgent intervention from the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court’s ruling. The airline argues that grounding the engines would severely impact its operations and potentially disrupt travel plans for many passengers.
The Supreme Court has yet to schedule a hearing for the case, but the outcome will determine whether SpiceJet can regain control of the grounded engines and continue using them for its operations.
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