Dubai. The problems of the country's budget airline SpiceJet seem to be increasing continuously. This time the matter is of Dubai, where Dubai Airport has banned the check-in service of the airline due to non-payment of outstanding payment. According to the airport operator, SpiceJet owes about 14 million dirhams i.e. about Rs 35.8 crore. Check-in services were suspended from November 12 due to non-payment. After this action, many SpiceJet flights flying from Dubai had to be cancelled.
In this matter, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority also summoned the Dubai Station Manager of the airline. The authority directed to inform the passengers about flight cancellation and make alternative travel arrangements for them. This also includes arranging hotels and transport for stranded passengers. According to the report, Dubai Airports had informed SpiceJet on November 9 that its dues had increased to Dh14 million. According to the airport operator, no payment was made by the airline since October 13.
After this, a warning was given that if the entire dues were not paid by November 12, check-in services would be stopped. Dubai Airport stopped SpiceJet's check-in service due to non-payment on time. However, two already scheduled flights SG-5115 (Ahmedabad) and SG-5106 (Delhi) were given relief. Both these flights were to depart before the check-in services were closed, so the ground handling company dnata was allowed to check-in for them.
After check-in services were stopped, SpiceJet's Dubai station manager instructed the airline's flight operations department to cancel all flights departing from Dubai. On November 12, the airline issued instructions to cancel four flights to Amritsar, Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi. In the internal email the reason given was non-payment to dnata. It was planned to operate these four flights as a ferry service without passengers. Dubai Civil Aviation Authority also summoned the station manager of SpiceJet because the airline did not inform the passengers about the cancellation of flights on time. The authority has asked to make alternative arrangements for hotels and transportation for the passengers.
SpiceJet is facing financial crisis
This action taken in Dubai has taken place at a time when SpiceJet is already facing financial and operational challenges. According to reports, the airline is operating around 65 scheduled flights daily, but out of these, 15 to 20 flights are getting canceled daily. There are also reports of delays of three to five hours in many flights. The airline is said to have outstanding dues from aircraft leasing companies, oil companies, airport operators and ground handling agencies. Due to payment problems, SpiceJet has to avail the services of many important services by making advance payment i.e. paying in advance. This has increased the pressure on its daily operations.
Staff is not getting salary on time
According to sources, SpiceJet's operational fleet has reduced to about 12 aircraft. Three of these aircraft are currently grounded due to payment related problems. Apart from this, there have also been reports of employees not receiving salaries from June 2026. This is affecting the airline's flights and the services provided to passengers. Passengers are facing problems due to continuous flight cancellations and delays.