India’s SpiceJet resumes B737-8 ops

SpiceJet (SG, Delhi International) has resumed B737 MAX operations after reactivating the first of seven parked B737-8s in its fleet. In a January 28, 2025, Bombay Stock Exchange filing, the airline said the return of the type would allow it to fly to high-demand destinations like Jeddah International and Riyadh without operational restrictions.

The filing said MAX flights would resume on January 29. ADS-B flight data show the reactivated aircraft, VT-MXC (msn 60645), conducted several test flights during January. On the evening of January 28 (local time), it ferried to Delhi from Thiruvananthapuram and is scheduled to operate a Delhi-Bengaluru International-Allahabad-Delhi-Allahabad-Bengaluru-Varanasi-Bengaluru-Delhi rotation the following day.

SpiceJet Managing Director Ajay Singh said the reentry into service of the first B737-8 was an important milestone for the carrier. He said it “underscores our unwavering commitment to restoring and enhancing our fleet’s operational capacity.”

Of the remaining six SpiceJet B737-8s:

• VT-MAX (msn 60644) last flew on September 16, 2024, and is parked at Hyderabad International;
• VT-MXA (msn 64505) last flew on on June 29, 2024, and is parked at Hyderabad;
• VT-MXB (msn 64506) last flew on March 14, 2024, and is parked at Kolkata;
• VT-MXD (msn 64938) last flew on August 6, 2024, and is parked at Hyderabad;
• VT-MXE (msn 64939) last flew on June 9, 2024, and is parked at Delhi; and
• VT-MXI (msn 64940) last flew on July 27, 2024, and is parked at Hyderabad.

Longstanding issues with out-of-service aircraft have severely hampered SpiceJet’s operations. According to ch-aviation fleets data, 35 of SpiceJet’s 54 aircraft remain out of service, excluding VT-MXC. However, the carrier says it has added ten aircraft to its fleet since October 2024 – three reactivated aircraft and seven new leases – and introduced 60 new routes in the last three months.

SpiceJet did not respond to a request for comment. However, the filing says the reintroduction of the B737-8s will result in reduced fuel consumption, lower maintenance requirements, and higher aircraft utilisation, all of which will assist to optimise the airline’s operations.

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