New Delhi, November 11: Budget airline SpiceJet is reportedly facing increasing operational and financial difficulties, with frequent flight cancellations, a reduced fleet and mounting unpaid dues affecting its day-to-day functioning.
According to multiple media reports, the airline has been cancelling around 15 to 20 flights every day despite operating approximately 65 scheduled services. Passengers have also reportedly faced repeated delays, with some flights being cancelled after waiting periods of three to five hours.
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Sources cited in the reports suggest that the disruptions are linked to outstanding payments to aircraft lessors, oil marketing companies, airport operators and ground-handling agencies.
The airline is reportedly operating largely on a cash-and-carry basis, meaning it must make advance payments for essential services. This arrangement has reportedly reduced its financial flexibility and made it more difficult to manage routine operational expenses.
SpiceJet Fleet Shrinks as Aircraft Remain Grounded
The airline’s operational capacity has also come under pressure due to a reported reduction in its active fleet. According to reports, SpiceJet is currently operating with around 12 aircraft, while three planes remain grounded over payment-related issues involving aircraft lessors.
The limited fleet has raised concerns about the airline’s ability to maintain its scheduled services and restore normal operations.
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The financial strain is also reportedly affecting employees. According to sources cited in media reports, SpiceJet staff have not received their salaries since June 2026.
Financial Losses Add to Airline’s Challenges
SpiceJet’s operational difficulties come amid continued pressure on its financial performance.
For the quarter ended September 2025, the airline reported a net loss of ₹621 crore, compared with a loss of ₹458 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
Its revenue declined 13.4 per cent year-on-year to ₹792 crore, against ₹915 crore recorded in the same period a year earlier.
The airline also reported an operating loss of ₹297 crore during the quarter. Expenses included ₹120 crore towards costs associated with grounded aircraft and another ₹30 crore in return-to-service expenses.
Its EBITDAR loss, excluding the impact of foreign exchange movements, widened to ₹203.8 crore from ₹58.87 crore in the corresponding period last year.
Despite these financial pressures, SpiceJet reported a passenger load factor of 84.3 per cent during the quarter. Passenger revenue per available seat kilometre also improved to ₹4.04 from ₹3.91 a year earlier.
Meanwhile, SpiceJet shares ended 0.65 per cent lower at ₹7.68 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
The reported cancellations, payment difficulties and fleet constraints have added to concerns over the airline’s operational stability as it continues to navigate its financial challenges.
–IANS
