Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 13: Budget airline SpiceJet cancelled four flights from Dubai airport after ground-handling company Dnata suspended check-in services over unpaid dues, according to a report.
NDTV Profit reported that only two SpiceJet flights were allowed to take off from Dubai airport on Thursday. The airline reportedly owes Dnata more than 14 million UAE dirhams.
However, the suspension of check-in services was limited to November 12.
Separately, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Friday issued a passenger advisory warning of possible flight disruptions involving SpiceJet due to operational challenges faced by the airline.
The GMR-operated airport advised passengers to check their flight status directly with SpiceJet and contact the airline for the latest updates before proceeding with their travel plans.
Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which operates IGIA, did not specify the number of flights that could be affected or provide details about the nature and extent of the anticipated disruptions.
Earlier in November, reports indicated that SpiceJet had been cancelling between 15 and 20 flights daily despite operating around 65 scheduled services.
The airline's operations have reportedly been affected by mounting unpaid dues to aircraft lessors, oil marketing companies, airport operators and ground-handling agencies.
SpiceJet is understood to be operating largely on a cash-and-carry basis, requiring advance payments for essential services. Its fleet has reportedly shrunk to around 12 aircraft, with three planes grounded due to payment-related issues involving lessors.
The financial strain has also reportedly affected employees, who have not received their salaries since June 2026.
SpiceJet's financial performance has remained under pressure. For the quarter ended September 2025, the airline reported a net loss of Rs 621 crore, compared to Rs 458 crore in the corresponding period a year earlier.
Its revenue declined 13.4 per cent year-on-year to Rs 792 crore.
The airline also reported an operating loss of Rs 297 crore during the quarter, while its EBITDAR loss, excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, widened to Rs 203.8 crore from Rs 58.87 crore in the year-ago period.