Mumbai airport issued an advisory to SpiceJet’s passengers about a likely disruption to their flights and later withdrawn. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
“SpiceJet’s passengers at Dubai airport on Thursday (August 29, 2024) were barred from checking-in over the airline’s failure to clear airport dues,” said multiple industry sources.
This forced the airline to operate empty flights out of Dubai. It is learnt that the airline’s passengers departing from Dubai have been facing similar issues over the past week.
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SpiceJet is yet to respond to a request for comment on the development.
“We are monitoring SpiceJet. They are going through a challenging time,” said a senior official of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
On August 12, 2024, Mumbai airport also issued an advisory to SpiceJet’s passengers about a likely disruption to their flights. The advisory was later withdrawn.
Airlines employees have also been upset over delayed salaries, which have not been paid for two months. These also include pilots and cabin crew. In Guwahati, SpiceJet’s loaders, cleaners and drivers refused to report for work and held a demonstration outside the airport because of non-payment of salaries.
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There are also concerns over the airline failing to deposit its share of the provident fund with the Employee’s Provident Fund Organisation as well as tax deducted at source with the Income Tax department.
Over the past year, several engine and plane lessors have dragged SpiceJet to courts seeking its liquidation due to its failure to clear its dues.
