SpiceJet is looking to fly its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from next month onwards. The airline has now agreed on a deal with the aircraft's lessor, Avolon, regarding the leases on its fleet of MAX aircraft. Of course, while some flights with the MAX are allowed in the country, the aircraft is still awaiting full regulatory approval in India.

Its been roughly nine months since the Boeing 737 MAX was recertified by the Federal Aviation Administration. While we've seen a surge in aircraft returning to the skies and even new operators, the Boeing 737 MAX hasn't yet returned to the skies worldwide.

SpiceJet eyes a 737 MAX return

SpiceJet is reportedly eying the Boeing 737 MAX's return to service nine months after the airline first got approval to return to the skies. Today the airline revealed that its MAX's would return to the skies soon, with the airline's MD, Ajay Singh, commenting,

“I am delighted to share that our 737 MAXs will be back in the air soon. As India emerges from COVID and air traffic picks up again, the MAX aircraft will play a major role in our future expansion. With a better and a more efficient fleet back in operation we expect a significant reduction in our operating costs improving our bottom line.”

SpiceJet, Boeing 737 MAX, Return To Service
The aircraft's return will come pending regulatory approval. Photo: Boeing

About the SpiceJet MAX fleet

SpiceJet currently has a reasonably small Boeing 737 MAX fleet of just 13 aircraft according to data from ch-aviation.com. These aircraft were all delivered before the MAX grounding was enforced worldwide. The oldest, VT-MAX, is now 2.98 years old.

Meanwhile, the youngest aircraft, VT-MXK, is 2.51 years old. This aircraft was delivered to the airline on March 5th, 2019, just days before the aircraft was grounded by regulators worldwide. As a result, it has so far only clocked 25 flight hours across seven flight cycles. According to data from FlightRadar24.com, this particular aircraft never even entered service.

Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests.

A massive part of SpiceJet's future

SpiceJet is banking on the Boeing 737 MAX to be a considerable part of its future. Except for 32 Dash 8s, the Boeing 737 is the only aircraft in the fleet and moving forwards, it will take a more significant role. According to Boeing's latest order book, the airline expects a total of 142 737 MAX jets, with 42 ordered in October 2013 and another 100 in December 2016.

SpiceJet, Boeing 737 MAX, Return To Service
SpiceJet has 142 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on order, including those already delivered. Photo: Boeing

This means that with 13 aircraft delivered, the airline has 129 outstanding deliveries. At least six of these aircraft have already undertaken their first flights in the United States, aged between 2.19 and 1.78 years. This means that once the aircraft is recertified in India and SpiceJet continues flying it again, Boeing should be able to deliver additional aircraft reasonably quickly. Further aircraft could've been built but not taken their first flight yet.

What do you make of the SpiceJet Boeing 737 MAX news? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!