SpiceJet on track to return to profitability, says COO

Scotching speculation that SpiceJet would go the Kingfisher way, the no-frills carrier today said it was on track to return to profitability on the back of improved performance and enhanced fleet size.
"Recapitalisation is the last piece of the turnaround jigsaw puzzle. There is activity going on, but I can't talk about it. We are not allowed to give anymore details, but there is activity," SpiceJet Chief Operating Officer Sanjiv Kapoor told reporters here.
Kapoor, however, neither disclosed the likely investors in the airline controlled by the Marans of the Sun TV group, nor did he give a definite timeline for the recapitalisation.

He, however, said the amount would be a "reasonable sum" and would partly be used for procuring planes. The carrier, which is currently restructuring its fleet, aims to have 35 Boeing planes by the end of the current year from 28 now and a fleet of 45-50 Boeing 737 by second half of next year.
"Post-recapitalisation, by the second half of next year, we expect to have a Boeing fleet of 45-50. Once recapitalisation happens, part of the fund would be used for procuring fleet," he said.
On whether the fare war initiated by the loss-making SpiceJet would continue, Kapoor said: "An airline seat is the ultimate perishable commodity. We refuse to fly empty seats around because an empty seat, once the aircraft takes off, is lost forever. So, we will sell empty seats in advance by offering discounts during the lean season."

Prodded again on the timing of the recapitalisation, he merely said: "We are here to stay. You will get an invite for a press conference on recapitalisation."
Asked if investors' have evinced interest in the carrier, he evaded a direct answer saying he himself would have been interested to invest in an airline which has shown such a "tremendous performance" during the just-concluded quarter.