DGCA asks SpiceJet to continue operating at 50% capacity till October 29: Check details
The airline came under regulatory surveillance in July after a series of incidents related to technical glitches. This led to an order from the DGCA on July 27 which limited the number of flights the airline could operate to 50% of its summer schedule for a period of 8 weeks.
FollowCivil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Wednesday extended the cap on SpiceJet's operating capacity until the end of October. In an order, the civil aviation regulator has asked SpiceJet to operate at up to 50% of the number of flight departures approved under the Summer Schedule 2022 till October 29.
The summer schedule for domestic airlines is valid from March 27 to October 29. As per the schedule, SpiceJet was allowed to have 4,192 flight departures per week during the period.
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The airline came under regulatory surveillance in July after a series of incidents related to technical glitches. This led to an order from the DGCA on July 27 which limited the number of flights the airline could operate to 50% of its summer schedule for a period of 8 weeks.
According to the regulator, the order is based on a review of the safety performance of SpiceJet. While the review has shown an "appreciable reduction" in the number of safety incidents, DGCA said that it has decided to extend the restriction as a matter of abundant caution.
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In its July review, the DGCA had found poor internal safety oversight, inadequate maintenance action resulting in degradation of safety margins and irregular payment to vendors leading to shortage of spare parts at SpiceJet.
"Any increase in the number of departures beyond 50% of the total number of departures approved under the Summer Schedule 2022, during the period, shall be subject to the airline demonstrating to the satisfaction of DGCA that it has sufficient technical support and financial resource to safely and efficiently undertake such enhanced capacity," the regulator said.
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On 20 September, SpiceJet placed around 80 of its pilots on leave without pay for three months to save costs. The airline also said it has decided to place certain pilots on leave without pay for a period of three months as part of a temporary measure to rationalise cost.
