Mumbai airport announces 'disruptions' in SpiceJet ops, soon deletes X post

Non-payment of dues forced airport operator to take this step, sources said

SpiceJet flights to and from Mumbai airport are expected to be “temporarily disrupted” from Tuesday onwards, stated Adani group-run Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) on X on Monday.

However, MIAL, which runs the airport, deleted the tweet about an hour later.

Sources said MIAL made the announcement due to non-payment of dues by the airline. However, it reversed its decision after some backroom discussions with various stakeholders, including the airline.

About 15 per cent of SpiceJet's network passes through  Mumbai airport. SpiceJet's entire network consists of 882 weekly flights. The airline was operating about 128 weekly flights to and from Mumbai this month, according to aviation analytics Cirium. 

MIAL stated on X: “Effective midnight on August 13, 2024, SpiceJet flight operations from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) are expected to be temporarily disrupted. Mumbai International Airport is working with the airline to address the situation to minimise inconvenience to passengers.”

“Passengers are advised to connect with the SpiceJet helpdesk/call centre on the status of their flights,” it added.

About an hour later, this tweet was deleted. MIAL immediately did not respond to Business Standard's query on this tweet.

A SpiceJet spokesperson said, “The passenger advisory issued by MIAL has been withdrawn. Our flights in and out of Mumbai are operating normally. SpiceJet and MIAL have worked collaboratively to swiftly resolve a minor financial matter.”

SpiceJet and MIAL did not immediately respond to Business Standard's query on this tweet. Cirium stated that Mumbai airport is handling about 6,137 weekly flights this month.

For the last several quarters, SpiceJet has been grappling with a cash crunch amid multiple legal battles over unpaid dues to aircraft lessors, engine lessors, lenders, and former promoter Kalanithi Maran.

The airline had on July 15 reported a 72.4 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) reduction in its consolidated net loss to Rs 418.3 crore. This marks the sixth consecutive year the airline has posted a loss.

Earlier this year, the airline's shareholders approved the issuance of equity and warrants for raising Rs 2,241 crore, out of which the airline could raise Rs 1,060 crore. On July 23, SpiceJet's board approved the proposal to raise Rs 3,000 crore by issuing equity shares or other securities through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) process. Five years ago, SpiceJet was operating about 3,800 weekly flights.