Delhi HC orders SpiceJet to comply with UK court order to return 2 leased aircrafts, 3 engines to TWC Aviation
New Delhi/IBNS: The Delhi High Court has recently directed SpiceJet to comply with a United Kingdom (UK) court order, asking the airline to return two leased Boeing aircrafts and three engines to TWC Aviation Capital (TWC) over unpaid dues, reports said.
According to reports, the direction came following the allegation on SpiceJet for removing the engines and using them in another aircraft.
In the order, Delhi High Court Justice Pratibha M Singh highlighted that the Indian airline caused enough damage already by separating the engines from the aircraft leased from TWC.
“The separation of engines from the aircrafts in this manner may not even be permissible in the opinion of this Court," the court said, adding that the aircrafts frames and aircraft engines now being used separately would cause considerable reduction in the value of these aircrafts for the plaintiff and the dues are not forthcoming from the defendant.
In the earlier order passed in April, TWC was permitted to take possession of two leased aircraft as a receiver while the engines were allowed to be used by SpiceJet.
However, in the latest order, SpiceJet was ordered to hand over the aircraft and the engines to TWC without any conditions, according to reports.
“This Court has no option but to direct that the aircrafts along with the engines along with all relevant records relating to technical condition and usage of aircrafts shall be handed over to the Plaintiff by May 28, 2024,” the court directed after finding that SpiceJet failed to pay lease rent dues to TWC Aviation.
A UK court had earlier directed SpiceJet to return the leased aircraft and engines to TWC Aviation.
However, TWC filed a suit in Delhi High Court after SpiceJet failed to comply with the two orders issued by the UK court.
As per reports, the two aircraft leased by TWC were two Boeing 737-800 aircraft along with three aircraft engines.
TWC claimed that it entered a lease agreement dated May 27, 2019 with SpiceJet to lease these aircraft for 12 months at a basic rent of $180,000 per month.
The Delhi High Court held that the suit was justifiable and added to grant interim relief in favour of TWC.
The next hearing is scheduled for May 31, reports Bar and Bench.