SpiceJet Under 'Enhanced Surveillance' Due to 'Certain Deficiencies' Found in DGCA Audit
Reports of flight cancellations and financial difficulties have forced the cash-strapped SpiceJet to once again operate under the "enhanced surveillance" of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This measure will take effect immediately. This is in response to the aviation regulator's discovery of "certain deficiencies" in a special audit that was conducted earlier this month. This follows the Dubai Airport's recent decision to deny SpiceJet customers boarding for non-payment of dues.
A special audit of SpiceJet engineering facilities was carried out on 7th and 8th August 2024, which revealed certain deficiencies, according to a statement issued on August 29 by the DGCA. The purpose of the audit was to assess the airline's operational safety in light of reports of flight cancellations and financial stress. As a result, spot checks and night surveillance of SpiceJet's operations will be increased.
Continuous irregularities in SpiceJet has made DGCA to take these steps
The airline was once again placed under intensified surveillance by the DGCA due to its past record and special audit. During a special drive of spot checks in 2022, following a series of incidents reported on the SpiceJet fleet, the airline was required to confirm to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that all reported defects and malfunctions had been fixed before releasing aircraft for operations. "The airline was once again subject to enhanced surveillance in 2023 in response to reports of financial distress," the DGCA's document said.
With immediate effect, SpiceJet is once again subject to increased surveillance based on its historical record and the special audit conducted in August 2024. In order to guarantee the safety of activities, it was noted that there would be an increase in the number of spot checks and night surveillance.
Recent incident at Dubai Airport added pain to SpiceJet’s agony
The most recent episode, in which passengers were prevented from boarding a SpiceJet flight at the Dubai airport, was the second incidence of its planes departing from Dubai that had been disrupted within a month.
According to a report that was published by the news agency, SpiceJet was forced to conduct a number of flights from Dubai that were empty because customers were not permitted to board. Enhanced supervision by the DGCA was reportedly implemented on the airline in July 2023 due to the fact that it was experiencing financial difficulties.
Members of the crew are placed on sabbatical
Due to financial difficulties, SpiceJet has chosen to temporarily restrict 150 cabin crew workers for a period of three months. In the midst of financial, legal, and lender issues, the budget airline is running with a smaller fleet. There are about 22 aircraft in its operating fleet at the moment.
An airline representative announced on August 29 that 150 members of the cabin staff would be placed on unpaid leave for a period of three months.
The spokesperson stated that this action has been decided in light of the present slow travel season and the smaller fleet size, with the goal of ensuring the organization's long-term viability.
While on absence from work, cabin crew members will still be considered employees of SpiceJet and will have all of their benefits, including paid time off and health insurance.
Shalini Rath
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