SpiceJet Ordered To Operate At 50% Capacity For 8 Weeks

In a major move, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India on Wednesday, July 27 imposed restrictions on the number of flights operated by Spicejet and reduced flight operations to 50% for the next eight weeks.

The action comes after the airlines reported multiple snags in a short period of time.

As per an interim order issued by the DGCA;

“The number of departures of M/s Spicejet are hereby restricted to 50% of the number of departures approved under Summer Schedule 2022 for a period of 8 weeks from the date of issue of this order, in accordance with powers conferred under rule 19A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.”

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In view of findings of various spot checks, inspections & reply to show cause notice submitted by SpiceJet number of departures of SpiceJet is restricted to 50% of the number of departures approved under Summer Schedule 2022 for 8 weeks from the date of issue of this order: DGCA pic.twitter.com/nkeN4dVCBz

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2022

Technical Glitches

SpiceJet, the Indian low-cost carrier had reported at least eight technical glitches in the previous 18 days. Following this, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation V K Singh stated on Monday that during spot checks on SpiceJet aircraft, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found no major safety violations.

Spot Checks By DGCA

DGCA, the aviation regulator of India has conducted 53 spot checks on 48 SpiceJet aircraft between July 9 and July 13, according to the minister.

According to the Union Minister’s written reply in the Rajya Sabha, the DGCA has ordered SpiceJet to use certain identified aircraft for operations only after confirming to the regulator that all reported defects/malfunctions have been rectified.

DGCA Issues Show Cause Notice to SG

Since June 19, SpiceJet aircraft have been involved in technical malfunction incidents, prompting the DGCA to issue a show-cause notice to the airline on July 6, stating that ‘poor internal safety oversight’ and ‘inadequate maintenance actions’ have led to a deterioration of safety margins.

SpiceJet’s Comments

To respond to the DGCA’s offer, SpiceJet issued an official statement stating that flights in the coming weeks will not be cancelled, much to the relief of their passengers.

“We want to reassure our passengers and travel partners that our flights will operate as per schedule in the coming days and weeks. There will be no flight cancellation as a consequence of this order.”

Said, SpiceJet in a Statement

“DGCA’s observation that SpiceJet is taking measures for arresting the trend of incidents is very encouraging and we will continue to work under the close guidance of the regulator”, the statement further reads.