SpiceJet to defer deliveries of new Boeing aircraft

New Delhi: Struggling Delhi-based low cost carrier, SpiceJet, said over the weekend that it was re-negotiating its deal with US commercial aircraft maker Boeing. Airline officials said they would prefer sub-leasing aircraft, either through wet sub-lease or dry sub-lease.

In a wet sub-lease, the agreement provides for pilot and crew while in the case of a dry sub-lease, the arrangement is only for aircraft.

All of SpiceJet's orders for new aircraft were placed with Boeing. It ordered 30 aircraft in 2005 of which it is now understood to have delayed delivery of seven.

The airline is currently operating 14 aircraft, delivered in the period 2005 and 2007. Industry downturn has affected SpiceJet's load factor, which stood at  78 per cent last month as against 90 per cent in the same period last year.

SpiceJet had consistently reported good passenger loads in its operations.

These reports emerge even as Boeing senior vice-president, Dinesh Keskar, ruled out any Indian carrier deferring on deliveries of new aircraft.

Also, less than a fortnight earlier, US billionaire investor, WL Ross, infused Rs345 crore ($82.4 million) in the airline.