SpiceJet aims to expand network 30%, add 60 daily flights by April

Despite investment plan approval, airline yet to clear pilot salaries for December

Troubled low-cost carrier SpiceJet, under its revival plan, plans to increase its daily flights by almost 30 per cent to 280 within three months, Business Standard has learnt.

In line with this strategy, the airline is currently negotiating with foreign leasing companies to add six Boeing B737 aircraft to its fleet for the summer schedule – it currently has 20 B737s and 14 Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

“From 220 today, the airline will take its daily flights up to 280 in April. The fleet-planning division is looking into what will be the best option in terms of adding new aircraft,” a source said.

Promoted by Sun Network’s Kalanithi Maran, SpiceJet had 35 B737s in July last year, when it operated 340 daily flights, but the B737 fleet has now been reduced to 20, for saving on operational costs through returning aircraft to leasing companies. However, with fresh investments imminent after a deal was approved by the civil aviation ministry earlier this month, the airline is believed to again be negotiating to bring back the aircraft it recently returned. This is to gain a larger scale to help it achieve faster operational turnaround.

Even as SpiceJet is expected to get Rs 1,500 crore from new investors led by founder-promoter Ajay Singh, in several tranches by March, the airline is yet to clear salary dues to pilots for the month of December.

The SpiceJet shares on Thursday declined 0.23 per cent from their previous close to end at Rs 21.80 apiece on BSE.

“Co-pilots and some crew members received their salaries on Thursday. Ground staff was paid a few days ago. But most pilots are yet to get paid,” a company source said.

SpiceJet, which on January 22 opened bookings for travel beyond March and up to October 24 this year, embarked on a fresh discounting spree on Wednesday by offering 500,000 tickets at fares starting Rs 1,499; rival IndiGo followed suit.