- SUMMARY
- SpiceJet resumes Airbus A340 Operations using two newly leased Airbus A340s.
- The lease agreement has been signed with Legend Airlines.
- The airline will operate Hajj flights with these A340s. It has rights to operate from 7 cities to Medina.
Budget Indian airline, SpiceJet has once again started operations with the Airbus A340 aircraft. The airline, in many past instances, has operated the quadjet. Now, it has leased two aircraft from the Romanian ACMI company, Legend Airlines. The airline will use these aircraft for pilgrim flights.
SpiceJet is Back With Airbus A340
Every year, the Government of India allocates Hajj flying rights to major airlines from India and Saudi Arabia to transport Hajj pilgrims between India and Saudi Arabia. SpiceJet has been allowed to operate these flights from seven Indian cities.
In order to provide maximum capacity, the airline has once again decided to wet lease the Airbus A340 aircraft. It has leased two Airbus A340s from Legend Airlines. The registration of these aircraft is YR-LRC & YR-LRE.
Details about these aircraft are as follows:
YR-LRC: 17 year old Airbus A340; Started Operations with Finnair in 2007; Retired in 2016; Delivered to Air Belgium in 2018; Went to Legend Airlines in 2022; Leased to SpiceJet in June 2023; Now again leased by SpiceJet
YR-LRE: 15.9 years old A340; Started operations with Finnair in 2008; Delivered to Air Belgium in 2018; Went to AirHub Airlines in 2021; Legend Airlines in 2023; Leased to SpiceJet in June 2023; Now again leased by SpiceJet
According to a report from Times of India, both these aircraft can accommodate 324 passengers in a single flight. However, data from the planespotters.net tracking website shows that they are configured with 32 Business, 21 Premium Economy, and 212 Economy Class seats.
Hajj Operations Profitable For the Airline
The subsidies and expenses for these pilgrim flights are borne by the Government of India (GoI). Airlines receive a fair amount for operating these flights. For example, last year, when SpiceJet was in dire need of funds, it raised Rs 337 crore by operating Hajj flights. Last year as well, the airline operated A340s.
Similar to 2022, SpiceJet has chosen Fujairah International Airport as its hub for operating flights to and from India and Medina Airport. In a recent report, there were talks that Fujairah might soon get an Indian connection. To read it, check the embedded link below.
On May 9, SpiceJet operated the inaugural Hajj flight between Srinagar and Medina Airport. The maiden flight was flagged by the Director of Srinagar Airport, Javed Anjum, and the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, CPS Bakshi. The A340 registered as YR-LRC is currently flying between Fujairah and Medina. The airline has the right to operate Hajj flights from seven Indian cities: Srinagar, Guwahati, Gaya, Bhopal, Indore, Aurangabad, and Vijayawada.
According to a report from Times of India, the Airbus A340 will be used for flights from Srinagar and Guwahati. For remaining departure points, the airline will use its Boeing 737 MAX fleet. Overall, Spicy will be operating 102 flights for Hajj coverage. With these flights, it will cater to 13,800 pilgrims. The departure flights are scheduled between May 9 and 31, while the arrival flights from Medina are scheduled between June 22 and July 15.
SpiceJet and A340 Operations
SpiceJet has a sizeable past with Airbus A340 operations. During the pandemic, the airline leased an A340 from Hi Fly Malta and operated it under its cargo subsidiary- SpiceXpress. The aircraft was being used as a freighter.
Later, in June 2023, it leased a pair of Airbus A340s from Legend Airlines. These aircraft were initially used for Hajj operations, but later on, the airline incorporated them to operate long-haul flights. For some time, it operated the Amritsar to Milan service using the Legend Airlines A340. When the war between Israel and Hamas started, SpiceJet used its A340s for repatriation flights, in order to bring back the maximum number of Indian-origin citizens from Tel Aviv.
Other than A340, the airline is currently operating a fleet of two Boeing 737 leased from Corendon Airlines. Spicy uses these jets to operate flights to and from Dubai.
Conclusion
SpiceJet is back with the Airbus A340 operations. The airline, which earlier used the A340 for long-haul flights and repatriation flights will now operate it for Hajj flights. It has flying rights to transport Hajj passengers from seven cities in India, of which two will witness A340 operations. Other than SXR and GAU, the other five cities will be catered to using the B737 MAX. Last year, SpiceJet made Rs 337 crore with Hajj flights.
Have you ever traveled onboard SpiceJet A340? Discuss in the comment section.
With Inputs From Times of India
Featured Image Credits: Legend Airlines via Social Media
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