SpiceJet to lease 20 aircraft, nearly tripling fleet

SpiceJet has finalized agreements to lease 20 aircraft as it looks to nearly triple its active fleet before India's winter travel season. The carrier plans to add 15 Boeing and five Airbus aircraft through a mix of wet and damp leases, with deliveries phased between mid-October and mid-November 2026. It currently operates 11 aircraft; the additions would raise the fleet to about 31 and allow roughly 200 daily flights.

The extra capacity will support domestic and international services during the winter schedule, starting with increased demand around the Durga Puja festival. SpiceJet expects to keep the aircraft through the following summer season. It has not named the lessors or disclosed exact models, though the incoming fleet will reportedly include higher-capacity Airbus A321s.

Wet leases include aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance from the owner. Damp leases involve the lessee providing some crew, typically cabin attendants. These arrangements let an airline expand quickly without recruiting or training large numbers of pilots and maintenance staff, though operating costs can be higher. SpiceJet previously used short-term leases for the 2025 winter season, adding Boeing 737s as it worked to restore grounded aircraft amid lessor disputes and financial strain.