Archive · 1 Sep 2026
SpiceJet Ends Boeing 737 MAX Operations Amid Financial Crisis
SpiceJet is taking its three remaining working Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes out of India.
The first plane is expected to leave from Delhi, followed by two others.
The planes have been officially de-registered so they can be exported.
After they leave, SpiceJet will have eight active aircraft of its own.
The airline has also borrowed three Airbus A320s from Sky Angkor Airways.
This brings its active fleet to 11 aircraft.
SpiceJet first received a Boeing 737 MAX 8 in 2018.
The airline is making this change while dealing with serious financial problems and unpaid bills.
SpiceJet will remove its three remaining airworthy Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from India.
VT-MXD is scheduled to leave first, followed by VT-MXE and VT-MXI.
All of SpiceJet’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft have been de-registered under IDERA.
The aircraft exit leaves SpiceJet with eight active aircraft, while three leased Airbus A320s bring the total to 11.
The move comes as SpiceJet faces severe financial and operational problems, including unpaid dues and salary challenges.
- Who
- SpiceJet, with aircraft leased from Sky Angkor Airways and financial claims involving Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways Pvt. Ltd.
- What
- SpiceJet is ending operations of its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and sending its three remaining airworthy planes overseas.
- When
- The first aircraft, VT-MXD, is scheduled to leave first; the article reports the fleet count as of Tuesday.
- Where
- The aircraft are being removed from SpiceJet’s fleet in India, with VT-MXD currently parked in Delhi.
- Why
- The move comes amid SpiceJet’s severe financial and operational crisis, including pending dues, salary obligations and airport debt.
- Aircraft leaving
- Three airworthy Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft: VT-MXD, VT-MXE and VT-MXI.
- First departure
- VT-MXD, currently parked in Delhi, is scheduled to be ferried overseas first.
- Registration status
- All of SpiceJet’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft have been de-registered under the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA).
- Active fleet after exit
- The aircraft departures leave SpiceJet with eight active aircraft.
- Replacement capacity
- Three Airbus A320s have been inducted on wet lease from Cambodia-based Sky Angkor Airways.
- Total active fleet
- SpiceJet’s active fleet stands at 11 aircraft after the wet-lease additions.
- Financial dispute
- SpiceJet has sought more time to deposit the first ₹50 crore instalment toward ₹144.5 crore owed to Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways Pvt. Ltd.