SpiceJet’s flights capped at 50% for 8 weeks over safety

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SpiceJet’s flights capped at 50% for 8 weeks over safety

Thursday, 28 July 2022 | Pioneer News Service | New Delhi

SpiceJet’s flights capped at 50% for  8 weeks over safety

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday restricted SpiceJet flight departures to 50 per cent for the next eight weeks following a number of technical snags. The airline, however, said there will be no flight cancellations because of the regulator’s order as it is already operating limited services “due to the current lean season”.

“In view of findings of various spot checks, inspections and the reply to the show cause notice submitted by Spicejet, for continued sustenance of safe and reliable air transport service, the number of departures of Spicejet are hereby restricted to 50 per cent of the number of departures approved under Summer Schedule 2022 for a period of 8 weeks from the date of issue of this order, in accordance with powers conferred under rule 19A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937,” the DGCA order read.

“Any increase in the number of departures beyond 50 per cent shall be subject to the airline demonstrating to the satisfaction of DGCA that it has sufficient technical support and financial resources to safely and efficiently undertake such enhanced capacity,” the order further stated.

“The same has been reviewed at appropriate level and it has been observed that M/s Spicejet is taking measures for arresting the trend of incidents, however, the airline needs to sustain these efforts for safe and reliable air transport service,” it said.

The order comes after SpiceJet planes were involved in at least eight technical malfunction incidents in the 18-day period starting June 19.

After which the DGCA had on July 6 issued a show-cause notice to the airline, stating that “poor internal safety oversight” and “inadequate maintenance actions” have resulted in degradation of safety margins.

Just three days after issuing the notice, the DGCA started conducting spot checks on SpiceJet planes. The spot checks were completed on July 13.

On March 11, the DGCA approved 4,192 weekly domestic flights of SpiceJet for this year’s summer schedule, which ends on October 29. Wednesday’s order means the budget carrier will be able to operate not more than 2,096 weekly flights for the next eight weeks.

In a statement on Wednesday, SpiceJet said, “We are in receipt of the DGCA order and will act as per directions of the regulator. Due to the current lean travel season, SpiceJet, like other airlines, had already rescheduled its flight operations. Hence, there will be absolutely no impact on our flight operations.” The airline said it wants to reassure its passengers and travel partners that its flights will operate according to schedule in the coming days and weeks. “There will be no flight cancellation as a consequence of this order.”

In its notice to SpiceJet on July 6, the regulator had said the airline has failed to “establish safe, efficient and reliable air services” under the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

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