Dubai Airports has suspended SpiceJet's check-in service due to non-payment of ₹358.5 million in outstanding dues. This resulted in the cancellation of four flights from Dubai to India on November 12th.
SpiceJet passengers beware! Dubai airport halts flights due to non-payment of ₹35 crore.
SpiceJet passengers traveling between Dubai and India may now face difficulties. Dubai Airports has suspended the airline's check-in service. It is reported that SpiceJet owes ground-handling company dnata approximately 14 million UAE dirhams, or approximately ₹358.5 million. However, this action was taken due to non-payment. Following this, four flights from Dubai to India were cancelled on November 12th.
According to people familiar with the matter, Dubai Airports sent an email to SpiceJet on November 12th informing them of the outstanding payment. The email stated that the payment had not been made since October 13th, and the total outstanding amount had risen to 14 million dirhams. The airport operator cited continued non-compliance with payment terms and announced the suspension of check-in services.
Flights to how many cities were cancelled?
According to airline insiders, four flights from Dubai to Amritsar, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Delhi were cancelled on November 12th. These flights were planned to operate as ferry flights without passengers. However, Dubai Airports previously allowed check-in for some flights to Ahmedabad and Delhi. However, SpiceJet's station manager later ordered the cancellation of further flights from Dubai until the payment issue was resolved.
What did SpiceJet say?
A SpiceJet spokesperson stated that the airline is working with the relevant authorities to resolve the matter. The company stated that it has sufficient bank guarantee coverage and is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
The airline is already facing financial challenges.
SpiceJet's troubles have intensified at a time when the airline is already facing financial and operational difficulties. According to reports, approximately 12 aircraft in its fleet were affected, and only nine of these were operational.
The airline's domestic market share fell to 1% in September, compared to 3.9% in January. SpiceJet carried approximately 73,000 domestic passengers in September, compared to approximately 102,000 in January.
