SpiceJet to lease six Boeing 737s from BOC Aviation

Indian no-frills carrier SpiceJet will lease six Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Singapore-based BOC Aviation to expand its network, the two airlines said yesterday.

"BOC Aviation welcomes a new customer in SpiceJet, as we grow our fleet and strengthen our position," Robert Martin, managing director and chief executive of BOC Aviation said.

SpiceJet has already taken delivery of the first of the six aircraft, with the rest to be delivered next year, a BOC Aviation spokesperson said.

SpiceJet had last month said the airline planned to add seven Boeing 737s to its fleet in the current financial year to strengthen domestic and international operations.

All of BOC's Boeing 737-800s are 189-seaters in all-economy configuration.

The airline, which currently flies to 10 international destinations, is also eyeing the markets of Thailand, China and Iraq.

Last year, the Kalanithi Maran-owned budget carrier had added four Boeing aircraft and eight Bombardier Q400s, taking the total fleet size to 54. Of these, 15 are Bombardiers and rest Boeing.

BOC Aviation is a leading aircraft leasing company with a portfolio of 231 owned and managed aircraft operated by 56 airlines and 33 countries worldwide, with the average aircraft age being about four years.

It has another 106 aircraft on firm order.