Shares of SpiceJet Ltd soared 4% hitting an intraday high of Rs 10 on 3 September after the airline finalised lease agreements to add 20 aircraft to its fleet as it prepares for the upcoming winter travel season. 

The move is aimed at rebuilding capacity and increasing flight frequencies, with the airline targeting around 200 daily flights during the winter schedule. The airline plans to induct 15 Boeing and five Airbus aircraft under damp and wet-lease arrangements. 

The aircraft will be added in phases between mid-October and mid-November, ahead of the winter travel season, which begins around the Durga Puja period. The additional planes are expected to help SpiceJet increase frequencies on key domestic and international routes and offer more capacity during the peak travel period.

The five Airbus aircraft will include A321s, which can carry more passengers and are expected to be useful on routes where demand is strong. SpiceJet said the new aircraft will not only support the winter schedule but will also remain part of its operations through the following summer travel season.

The latest expansion is part of SpiceJet’s broader effort to rebuild its fleet after facing financial and operational challenges. In July, the airline inducted three Airbus A320 aircraft under six-month damp lease agreements. At the time, it said it was in discussions with other lessors to bring in additional aircraft.

SpiceJet’s fleet expansion comes as the airline continues to work on improving its operating capacity and schedule reliability. In February, its board had approved a plan to increase the fleet to 55–60 aircraft through wet and damp leases and the phased return of grounded aircraft. 

The airline had initially set a more aggressive target of more than 300 daily flights by winter 2026, but the latest announcement puts its near-term winter target at around 200 flights a day.

At 1:48 pm, the shares of Spicejet were trading 1.57% higher at Rs 9.69 on NSE. 

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