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The Delhi High Court has directed SpiceJet Ltd to file details of its assets in a sealed cover within three weeks in a payment dispute with France-based engine lessor Sunbird France 02 SAS, while granting interim relief to the lessor.
Justice Vikas Mahajan passed the order after recording the consent of both parties during proceedings related to enforcement of a foreign decree passed by the England & Wales Commercial Court against the airline.
The lessor had approached the High Court seeking repayment of over ₹70 crore in dues linked to aircraft engine lease agreements. During the hearing, Sunbird argued that multiple insolvency petitions pending against SpiceJet raised concerns about the airline’s financial stability and warranted urgent interim protection.
Counsel appearing for the lessor also cited reports of advance salary payments made to SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh while lease-related dues remained unpaid, a LiveLawBiz report highlighted.
The court allowed SpiceJet to submit its asset disclosure in a sealed cover and granted liberty to the lessor to approach the Vacation Bench in case of any urgent developments.
Advocate Anandh Venkataramani, appearing for Sunbird France 02 SAS, argued that the foreign decree met the requirements for enforcement under the Civil Procedure Code and submitted that SpiceJet had failed to contest proceedings before the UK court despite being properly served.
Also Read: Sunbird France seeks ₹70 crore from SpiceJet in Delhi HC plea over engine dues
Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, appearing for SpiceJet, opposed interim relief on grounds of maintainability and enforceability, while maintaining that the airline is a listed company and is in the process of raising funds under a government-backed package.
The matter has now been listed for further hearing on July 29.
The dispute relates to three aircraft engine lease agreements entered into in 2019. Sunbird alleged that SpiceJet defaulted on rental payments and maintenance obligations from 2020 onwards, following which the lessor repossessed the engines between 2022 and 2023.
Justice Vikas Mahajan passed the order after recording the consent of both parties during proceedings related to enforcement of a foreign decree passed by the England & Wales Commercial Court against the airline.
The lessor had approached the High Court seeking repayment of over ₹70 crore in dues linked to aircraft engine lease agreements. During the hearing, Sunbird argued that multiple insolvency petitions pending against SpiceJet raised concerns about the airline’s financial stability and warranted urgent interim protection.
Counsel appearing for the lessor also cited reports of advance salary payments made to SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh while lease-related dues remained unpaid, a LiveLawBiz report highlighted.
The court allowed SpiceJet to submit its asset disclosure in a sealed cover and granted liberty to the lessor to approach the Vacation Bench in case of any urgent developments.
Advocate Anandh Venkataramani, appearing for Sunbird France 02 SAS, argued that the foreign decree met the requirements for enforcement under the Civil Procedure Code and submitted that SpiceJet had failed to contest proceedings before the UK court despite being properly served.
Also Read: Sunbird France seeks ₹70 crore from SpiceJet in Delhi HC plea over engine dues
Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, appearing for SpiceJet, opposed interim relief on grounds of maintainability and enforceability, while maintaining that the airline is a listed company and is in the process of raising funds under a government-backed package.
The matter has now been listed for further hearing on July 29.
The dispute relates to three aircraft engine lease agreements entered into in 2019. Sunbird alleged that SpiceJet defaulted on rental payments and maintenance obligations from 2020 onwards, following which the lessor repossessed the engines between 2022 and 2023.
