rahulNovember 14, 20262 Mins read2
Dubai Airports, which owns and operates Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, took the action after the airline reportedly failed to clear outstanding payments to ground-handling company dnata (Dubai National Air Travel Agency).
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According to an internal airline communication, four flights scheduled to operate from Dubai to Amritsar, Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi on November 12 were cancelled. The aircraft were instead expected to operate as ferry services, meaning they would fly without passengers.
Dubai Airports had initially allowed check-in for SpiceJet flights to Ahmedabad and Delhi before the suspension came into effect on November 12. However, the airline’s station manager subsequently instructed the flight operations team to cancel other departures from Dubai until the payment issue was resolved.
People aware of the matter said Dubai Airports emailed SpiceJet on November 12, informing the airline that payments had not been received since October 13 and that its outstanding dues had reached AED 14 million.
The airport operator reportedly cited continued non-compliance with payment terms and said it was suspending check-in services to prevent further financial exposure.
A SpiceJet spokesperson said the airline was working to resolve the matter with the concerned authorities. “We have adequate bank guarantee cover in place and are working to ensure that the issue is sorted out at the earliest.”
The latest disruption comes as SpiceJet continues to face financial and operational difficulties, with its fleet reportedly shrinking to around 12 aircraft, of which only nine were operational, Mint reported on November 12.
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The airline’s domestic market share fell to 1 per cent in September, down from 3.9 per cent in January. It carried around 73,000 domestic passengers in September, compared with nearly 102,000 in January.
Data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also highlighted the extent of its operational difficulties. SpiceJet cancelled 20.29 per cent of its scheduled flights in September, while its on-time performance at major airports dropped to 16.6 per cent.
The airline has also struggled to clear supplier payments. According to its regulatory filings, dues of Rs 63.03 crore owed to small businesses remained unpaid beyond the stipulated 45-day period during April-September 2026.
The suspension of check-in services in Dubai adds to the airline’s immediate operational challenges, particularly for passengers travelling between the UAE and India.
Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident
