Delhi high court asks SpiceJet to disclose assets in 2 weeks in $8 million Sunbird dues case
The Delhi high court has directed cash-strapped airline SpiceJet to file an affidavit disclosing its assets within two weeks in a dispute with engine lessor Sunbird France 02 SAS seeking to recover nearly $8 million in unpaid rent and maintenance dues.
Justice Vikas Mahajan on Tuesday directed Sunbird to seek a protective order if the airline fails to pay its dues after it disclosed SpiceJet’s assets. The case will be discussed after the court recess.
The lessor requested urgent protective measures, such as disclosure of assets, taking into account the airline’s financial situation. Sunbird lawyer argued that SpiceJet was under financial stress and pointed out 16. bankruptcy defense A case was filed against the airline before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), arguing that the carrier could file for bankruptcy at any time.
The lessor’s legal team, despite the unpaid dues to creditors, SpiceJet The chairman had paid advance compensation to Ajay Singh.
“Chairman Mr. Singh was paid an advance of $3.4 million as salary for five years in September 2025, at a time when these monies were owed to the entire world,” the lawyer said before the court.
Resisting coercive directions
SpiceJet He had opposed immediate coercive instructions, arguing that the airline was a continuing concern and not a “night flight operator”. Such instructions could disrupt operations, senior counsel Amit Sibal, representing the airline, said, adding that SpiceJet operates around 135 flights a day, carries around 21,000 passengers and employs 6,400 people.
The dispute arises from the decision of the London Commercial Court on March 13 regarding three aircraft engines leased to SpiceJet in 2019. Under the UK ruling, Sunbird claimed the airline stopped making lease payments from January 2022, except for a $7,088.19 payment in May 2024, and defaulted on maintenance accruals from November 2020.
Following the alleged defaults, Sunbird seized two engines in December 2022 and the third engine in July 2023, and then filed a lawsuit in London seeking damages of $7.96 million. The UK court granted summary judgment in favor of Sunbird after noting that SpiceJet did not object to the action despite being served with it.
