SpiceJet's Market Share Plummets Amid Climbing Complaints and Delays

SpiceJet's market share fell to 2.3% in India's domestic aviation market, while carrying 1054.66 lakh passengers from January to August 2024. IndiGo led with a 62.4% share. SpiceJet recorded the highest passenger complaints and a low On-Time Performance rate, per DGCA's August report.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported on Friday that SpiceJet's share of India's domestic aviation market has plummeted to 2.3 percent. Overall, airlines in India transported 1054.66 lakh passengers during the January-August 2024 period, witnessing a 4.82 percent increase from the previous year, which saw 1006.16 lakh passengers.

On a monthly basis, passenger numbers rose by 5.70 percent. SpiceJet's market share has continually declined from January's 5.6 percent to August's 2.3 percent. In contrast, IndiGo maintained a commanding lead with a 62.4 percent market share, followed by Air India's 14.7 percent, Air India Express at 5.3 percent, and Vistara with 10.3 percent.

Passenger complaints were highest against SpiceJet at 16.1 percent, far surpassing Air India's 1.5 percent and IndiGo's 0.2 percent. Most complaints concerned flight problems, baggage, and refunds, said the DGCA. Regarding On-Time Performance at major metro airports, Akasa Air topped with 71.3 percent, followed by Vistara's 68.6 percent, IndiGo at 66 percent, and SpiceJet lagging behind at 31 percent. The majority of delays were due to reactionary and Air Traffic Control-related issues, according to the report.

In August 2024 alone, scheduled domestic airlines received 1031 passenger-related complaints, with SpiceJet accounting for 437, Air India for 294, and IndiGo for 135. All complaints have been addressed and resolved, DGCA confirmed.

(With inputs from agencies.)