{
  "id": 19522231,
  "title": "SpiceJet Crisis 2026: Reports Claim Unpaid Salaries, Grounded Aircraft & Widespread Flight Disruptions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/spicejet-crisis-2026-reports-claim-unpaid-salaries-grounded-aircraft",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-11T16:31:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/spicejet-crisis-2026-reports-claim-unpaid-salaries-grounded-aircraft-widespread-flight-disruptions"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New Delhi, Nov 11 - The once-thriving budget airline SpiceJet is grappling with a series of operational crises, according to recent reports. The carrier is facing a string of daily flight cancellations, ranging from 15 to 20, despite operating only around 65 scheduled services. Passengers are increasingly experiencing delays, with some flights being grounded after being delayed for up to five hours. The disruptions are attributed to unpaid dues to aircraft lessors, oil marketing companies, airport operators, and ground handling agencies. SpiceJet's financial struggles are severe, with the carrier operating on a cash-and-carry basis due to unpaid bills. Its active fleet has dwindled to just 12 planes, with three grounded due to non-payment issues. The airline's financial woes extend beyond operations, as employees have gone without salaries since June 2026. Despite these challenges, SpiceJet managed to maintain an 84.3 per cent passenger load factor and a slight improvement in passenger revenue per available seat kilometre.",
  "summary": "New Delhi, Nov 11: Budget carrier SpiceJet is reportedly facing worsening operational challenges, with frequent flight cancellations, a shrinking fleet and mounting payment obligations disrupting its day-to-day operations. According to multiple reports, the airline is cancelling between 15 and 20 flights daily despite operating only around 65 scheduled services. Passengers have also reportedly…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}