SpiceJet (SG, Delhi International) says it has settled a lease dispute with Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) that saw three DHC-8-Q400s pulled from service. In a statement issued on June 21, the carrier said the aircraft would return to service as part of a bigger fleet revival program. The dispute concerned unpaid leases.

"These three planes had been repossessed by the lessor," the statemen read. "The induction of the three planes in addition to the fleet revival and restoration program launched by the airline would result in a substantial addition of planes in the SpiceJet fleet in the coming weeks.”

The ch-aviation Commercial Aviation Aircraft Data module indicates that SpiceJet has a 26-strong fleet of the De Havilland Aircraft of Canada turboprops, with five supplied by NAC. Two of those aircraft are active, while three are out of service. In addition, until December 2022, SpiceJet also operated VT-SUX (msn 4328), VT-SUT (msn 4356), and VT-SUU (msn 4336). ch-aviation data indicates NAC repossessed those planes at the tail end of 2022. SpiceJet says last week's settlement covers all past liabilities attached to the aircraft.

The settlement wipes one more legal drama from the carrier's calendar. Earlier this month, SpiceJet resolved an insolvency bid by real estate and construction entity Acres Bidwell. However, other lessors have action underway against the airline, including Aircastle and Willis Lease Finance Corporation. ch-aviation has also recently reported on a USD15 million summary judgement order made against the airline in favour of another lessor in the UK courts. SpiceJet has previously said it was working to resolve legal action on a case-by-case basis and that it remained determined to stay in the air, reactivate more aircraft, and expand its network.