India’s aviation regulator has begun an in-depth audit of SpiceJet’s safety procedures, fleet maintenance records and balance-sheet strength, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu told Parliament on 23 September. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) action follows a summer marred by recurrent delays, crew shortages and cash-flow concerns at the no-frills carrier whose domestic market share has slipped to 1.6%. Officials say the scrutiny covers everything from engine-oil service intervals to the airline’s ability to meet salary and lessor payments. Preliminary findings will decide whether SpiceJet can maintain its current schedule or faces a capacity cap similar to the one imposed on Go First before its collapse in 2025. For mobility managers the audit introduces fresh uncertainty. Corporate contracts that rely on SpiceJet’s aggressive fare structure could face short-notice cancellations if the DGCA tightens reins. Travel buyers are advised to add “DGCA audit-related schedule change” clauses to tickets issued over the next quarter. Naidu noted that SpiceJet has tapped ₹150 crore under the government-backed Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme, but analysts say the bridge funding only buys time. Lessors have reportedly sought advance payment before releasing additional aircraft, limiting the airline’s plan to reach 200 daily flights for the winter schedule. Should DGCA flag critical findings, contingency capacity may need to be absorbed by IndiGo and Air India Express on trunk routes—likely driving up spot fares. Companies with large domestic travel budgets should pre-block seats on alternative carriers or explore rail options for sub-800 km trips.
Source: Hindustan Times
