AI to wet lease SpiceJet planes for Haj flights

New Delhi, Oct 22 (UNI) Low-cost airline SpiceJet has signed an agreement with Air India (AI) for wet lease of two of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft for operating daily flights between Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaipur and Nagpur, and Jeddah.

During the term of the agreement, SpiceJet will operate around 120 flights and will carry around 20,000 Haj pilgrims.

SpiceJet will provide its aircraft, pilots and the cabin crew and will also be responsible for overall maintenance of the aircraft and insurance.

AI will take care of in-flight catering and passenger handling.

This is the first time that AI has assigned a low-cost carrier the responsibility to fly pilgrims for Haj.

SpiceJet's executive chairman Siddhanta Sharma said the airline has been adding new destinations and increasing the frequency of flights within its existing network.

''We're ready to begin overseas operations next year after three years of flying on domestic routes,'' he said.

UNI