The Hindu Business Line : SpiceJet leasing 2 aircraft for Air India Haj operations

New Delhi, Oct 22 After close to three years of domestic operations, the low-cost airline, SpiceJet, is all set to fly abroad from November this year although for a limited period. The airline is to provide two Boeing 737-800 aircraft on wet lease to Air India for carrying Haj pilgrims.

The airline has been mandated to operate flights from Lucknow, Varanasi and Jaipur to Jeddah.

“We would operate two flights a day for about 75 days starting November 10. The first of the two aircraft to be used for Haj operations would arrive in the country around the end of the month while the second is expected by November 6.

“The flights would be operated with an Air India flight number but the operating crew, the maintenance of the aircraft and the colours that the aircraft would fly would be of SpiceJet,” the airline Executive Chairman, Mr Siddhanta Sharma, said.

At present, SpiceJet is not allowed to operate in the international skies. The airline does not meet the Government stipulation of having a fleet of 20 aircraft and having completed five years in the domestic skies to be eligible to start international operations.

The airline has a fleet of 15 aircraft and would complete three operations in May next year.