SpiceJet ups equity capital by Rs 85 cr

Low-cost carrier SpiceJet today announced that it had raised its equity capital by Rs 85 crore to Rs 500 crore. “We have raised the equity capital of the airline to Rs 500 crore from Rs 415 crore,” said Kishore Gupte, director and interim CEO, at company’s annual general meeting.

The Gurgaon-based carrier for the first time made profit in 2009-10. It had reported a profit of over Rs 61 crore. In June, media baron Kalanithi Maran of Sun TV Network had acquired a 37.75 per cent stake in SpiceJet for Rs 750 crore.

The deal was followed by an open offer for an additional acquisition of 20 per cent.

On the open offer, Gupte said they were waiting for the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (Sebi’s) approval.

The airline also announced that three of its directors, including Ajay Singh and Atul Sharma, had opted not to continue on its board. After they leave, SpiceJet will have a five-member board that will be augmented with seven more.

SpiceJet, which operates with a fleet of 22 Boeing 737-800 and 737-900 aircraft, recently ordered 30 Boeing aircraft for $2.7 billion. The planes will be delivered between 2014 and 2018.

SpiceJet will also start its international operations from September. It has approvals for Male, Dhaka and Kathmandu and Colombo. The airline had earlier announced it would start its international operations from June, after completing five years of domestic flying in May.