The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) was today ordered by Delhi High Court to deregister six aircraft given on lease to low-cost airline SpiceJet by two Irish firms.

The direction was issued by Justice Rajiv Shakdher, who also asked the DGCA to decide in two weeks the Irish firms' plea to export the planes, majority of which are Boeing 737 aircraft. SpiceJet currently operates 32 aircraft.

The HC passed the judgment while hearing the pleas of AWAS Ireland Ltd and Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Ltd which had filed the plea seeking directions to DGCA to de-register the aircraft they had given on lease to SpiceJet and for which the budget airline had failed to pay the dues.

SpiceJet reacted to the verdict saying it would take further course of action but only after evaluating the order. The airline added that it was holding talks with the lessors for a mutual settlement to the case.

"We are studying the order, if so advised we will take matter to the higher judicial forum. Dialogues are on to settle the dispute amicably," a SpiceJet spokesperson said in a statement.