SpiceJet adding a further 6 737s to their fleet. Shrewd or excessive expansion?

Low cost carrier SpiceJet has announced that it will be leasing six Boeing 737-800s. These aircraft will be in addition to the previously announced 16 737s and 5 Q400s that the airline announced that it will be inducting.

The airline has applied to the DGCA to import these aircraft and plan to induct the aircraft in the next 10 days.

Many of the above aircraft were directly required by the airline to replace its grounded fleet of 13 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. However over those aircraft, SpiceJet will still be inducting nine extra 737’s in a matter of days. Which with the airline’s current fleet of around 48 aircraft – is an approximately 20% increase.

With the collapse of Jet Airways, many airports have begun reallocating valuable slots to other carriers. Without sufficient aircraft SpiceJet risks missing out on a golden opportunity to increase its presence at the major metros like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

However on the flip side the airline must have the capacity to be able to absorb and effectively operate the new aircraft. Which means having adequate pilots, crew, engineers, etc, as well as the ability to maintain their load factors which have been consistently high for the airline to maintain its low fares and still be economically viable.

About Vedant Agarwal

A frequent flyer for both work and pleasure - Vedant has held elite status on many of the major alliances and airlines. Also an avid aviation photographer, his pictures have been published in and on the covers of many international publications.

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