Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet has finalized agreements with three aircraft operators to lease 20 aircraft under wet- and damp-lease arrangements ahead of the winter travel season. Deliveries are scheduled to take place in phases between mid-October and mid-November 2026. The lease package consists of 15 Boeing aircraft and five Airbus aircraft to support domestic and international services.
SpiceJet currently operates an active operational fleet of 11 aircraft. Adding 20 leased jets will increase its operational fleet to approximately 31 aircraft, enabling the airline to expand its overall schedule to around 200 flights per day during the winter period. The five Airbus aircraft included in the deal will feature the higher-capacity Airbus A321 (ICAO type code A321), providing extra seat capacity on high-demand routes alongside the 15 Boeing aircraft.
SpiceJet Chief Business Officer Debojo Maharshi stated that bringing in these 20 aircraft will allow the carrier to strengthen its network, add flight frequencies, and offer more travel options during peak travel periods. Under a wet lease structure, the lessor typically provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, while a damp lease sees the lessor supply the aircraft and flight crew with the leasing carrier providing cabin staff. Both lease types enable the airline to introduce operational capacity more rapidly than through dry leases or new deliveries.
The fleet expansion follows a sharp drop in SpiceJet's active operational fleet due to aircraft returns to lessors and long-term groundings. The carrier previously utilized short-term leases, including Airbus A320 aircraft damp-leased from Cambodia's Sky Angkor Airlines, to supplement its flying schedule. The carrier intends to operate the newly leased aircraft through the festive winter schedule—starting around the Durga Puja festival—and retain them into the following summer travel season.
