SpiceJet Flights Cancelled In Dubai As Airport Suspends Check-In Services Over ₹35.85 Crore Unpaid Dues
Cash-strapped SpiceJet has reportedly faced a suspension of check-in services at Dubai International Airport over unpaid dues of approximately 14 million UAE dirhams, equivalent to ₹35.85 crore. As per a report by Hindustan Times, the disruption led to the cancellation of four flights from Dubai to Amritsar, Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi on Nov 12. According to an internal airline communication, the…
SpiceJet has suspended check-in services at Dubai International Airport due to unpaid bills of around 14 million UAE dirhams, or ₹35.85 crore, according to a report by Hindustan Times. This disruption resulted in the cancellation of four flights from Dubai to Amritsar, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Delhi on November 12. The airline cited outstanding payments to ground-handling company dnata as the reason for the cancellations.
The flights were reportedly scheduled as ferry flights without passengers. Dubai Airports, which operates Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports, suspended services after multiple payment delays. The airport operator informed SpiceJet on November 12 that the overdue payments dated back to October 13. It warned that persistent non-compliance would escalate its financial risk.
Dubai Airports had previously allowed SpiceJet to check in flights to Ahmedabad and Delhi. The airline's station manager then ordered the cancellation of remaining departures until the dispute was resolved. SpiceJet stated that they were cooperating with authorities to resolve the matter and assured that they had sufficient bank guarantees.
The airline's troubles are compounded by a shrinking fleet, declining market share, and a sharp drop in passenger numbers. Its fleet has been reduced to around 12 aircraft, with only nine operational. Its domestic market share fell from 3.9% in January to 0.6% in September, while passenger traffic plummeted from nearly 592,000 in January to around 73,000 in September.
According to DGCA data, SpiceJet canceled 20.29% of its scheduled flights in September, with an on-time performance of just 16.6%. The airline owes ₹63.03 crore to small businesses beyond the 45-day payment deadline during April-September 2026. Regulatory filings show that SpiceJet's financial situation remains precarious, with ongoing pressure to address these outstanding liabilities and stabilize operations.
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