According to the order, the court held that SpiceJet chose not to participate in the proceedings despite being given every opportunity to do so. The airline neither argued the case nor appeared before the court during the hearings.
The dispute relates to alleged unpaid lease rentals for aircraft engines leased to the airline. Sunbird France had moved the UK court seeking recovery of the outstanding dues amounting to roughly ₹70 crore.
Following the judgment, the lessor is expected to pursue enforcement of the order in India. Sources indicate that the lessor may approach the Delhi High Court to enforce the UK court’s directive and recover the payment from the airline.A summary judgment allows the court to decide a case without a full trial when it determines that there is no real prospect of successfully defending the claim. In this case, the UK court ruled in favour of the engine lessor after noting that SpiceJet had not contested the matter.
The ruling adds to the financial pressure on the airline, which has faced multiple disputes with aircraft lessors over payments and lease obligations in recent years.
Also read: SpiceJet receives MoU for induction of 10 aircraft; check stock reaction
Shares of SpiceJet ended higher, rising 4.94% to ₹11.69 on the BSE, up ₹0.55 from the previous close.
