DGCA Places Spicejet Under 'Enhanced Surveillance' Amid Financial Concerns

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has placed Spicejet under enhanced surveillance due to financial stress and operational issues. A special audit in August 2024 revealed deficiencies, prompting increased spot checks to ensure safety. Recent incidents include flight cancellations and passenger inconveniences in Dubai.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has placed Spicejet under 'enhanced surveillance' effective immediately, following flight cancellations and signs of financial stress. A recent audit of Spicejet's engineering facilities, conducted on August 7 and 8, 2024, revealed several deficiencies, according to a senior DGCA official.

In 2022, after multiple incidents in the Spicejet fleet, the airline was subjected to frequent spot checks and was only allowed to release aircraft for operations after rectifying all reported issues. Similar concerns in 2023 led to the airline being placed under enhanced surveillance once again.

In light of the special audit's findings this August, enhanced surveillance has been reinstated. This will involve increased spot checks and night surveillance to ensure operational safety. Notably, passengers in Dubai were barred from check-in due to delayed payments. Spicejet clarified that affected passengers have been rebooked or refunded, and all scheduled flights from Dubai are now operating as planned.

(With inputs from agencies.)