SpiceJet's Dubai check-in suspended over unpaid dues; four flights cancelled

Indian budget carrier SpiceJet has suffered a fresh setback in Dubai: Dubai Airports suspended check-in services for its flights from Thursday, November 12, over about AED 14 million (about ₹35.85 crore, roughly US$3.8 million) in unpaid dues to ground handler dnata, with no payment received since October 13. Four flights to India were cancelled that day, and no SpiceJet flights departed Dubai for India on November 13.

Only two flights cleared; all others suspended

According to Informist, Dubai Airports warned SpiceJet on November 9 that its overdue balance had reached AED 14 million and that check-in would be suspended from November 12 unless the full amount was paid. Once the suspension took effect, dnata was permitted to check in only two delayed flights — SG-5115 to Ahmedabad and SG-5106 to Delhi — because they had been scheduled to depart before the restriction began; check-in for all other Dubai departures remained suspended until payment. SpiceJet's Dubai station manager then instructed the cancellation of all Dubai-origin flights; four services to Amritsar, Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi were cancelled and flown back as ferry flights without passengers.

Aviation authority summons station manager; stranded passengers to be re-accommodated

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority summoned SpiceJet's Dubai station manager over the airline's failure to announce the cancellations, and directed it to arrange alternative travel for affected passengers, including hotel accommodation and transport. Delhi airport issued an advisory on November 13 asking passengers to confirm flight status with SpiceJet; eight SpiceJet flights from Delhi were cancelled the same day, to Mumbai, Guwahati, Pune, Leh, Srinagar, Ahmedabad and Siliguri. SpiceJet said it is working to resolve the matter and that adequate bank-guarantee cover is in place. Its board meets on November 18 to consider raising fresh capital through shares or debt. Sources: Informist; IANS; NDTV Profit; Live From A Lounge.