NEW DELHI: Several SpiceJet flights were delayed or cancelled on Saturday, causing inconvenience to passengers at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, amid the airline’s ongoing operational and financial challenges.Delhi Airport said its teams were coordinating with SpiceJet and other stakeholders to assist affected passengers and manage the disruption on the ground.“We regret the inconvenience faced by passengers due to the operational disruption of some SpiceJet flights. Delhi Airport teams are actively coordinating with the airline and relevant stakeholders to support affected passengers and provide necessary assistance,” the airport said in a post on X.Ground-handling teams and airport staff were seen assisting stranded passengers and coordinating with airline representatives. SpiceJet had not issued a formal statement on the disruption at the time of reporting.The latest disruption comes amid continuing concerns over SpiceJet’s financial position and fleet availability. A large portion of the airline’s fleet has remained grounded, affecting its operational capacity.Earlier this month, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said the government was regularly engaging with SpiceJet over its financial and operational challenges and had been urging the airline to step up its operations.“Every month, we engage with all the airlines regarding whatever difficulties or issues or challenges they have. SpiceJet also, in the same regard, we have been meeting,” Naidu said on September 3.The minister said the government had been pushing the airline to increase operations, particularly by addressing its financial difficulties.“We have been pushing them to step up their operations, especially mainly the financial side of it. And they have also assured that they will be doing it quite soon,” he said.Asked whether SpiceJet had sought additional financial support from the government, Naidu said the airline had not sought such assistance directly but was attempting to access funds under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).“No, in terms of support, there is the ECLGS scheme. They are trying to avail some money through that scheme,” he said.In May, the Union Cabinet approved ECLGS 5.0 to provide targeted credit support to Indian airlines facing financial stress due to factors including higher aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, airspace closures and reduced operations, particularly on international routes.The government has continued to engage with airlines over their financial and operational difficulties. In SpiceJet’s case, the focus has been on improving its financial position and helping the carrier restore aircraft and expand operations.
