Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and low-cost carrier SpiceJet has been resolved, with flight operations returning to normal. The conflict began on August 12, when CSMIA posted an advisory on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle indicating that SpiceJet’s flights would face “temporary disruptions” starting from midnight on August 13.
The advisory, which was promptly deleted, suggested that passengers might experience inconvenience and advised them to contact SpiceJet’s helpdesk or call centre for updates. The post was a response to outstanding dues reportedly owed by SpiceJet to the airport, including parking charges and other fees. In contrast to the advisory, SpiceJet swiftly issued a statement confirming that its flight operations to and from Mumbai would continue as scheduled.
The airline clarified that the advisory had been retracted and assured passengers that the issue was resolved amicably. “SpiceJet and MIAL have worked collaboratively to swiftly resolve a minor financial matter,” the airline stated. This incident highlights ongoing financial challenges faced by SpiceJet, which has been grappling with liquidity issues. The airline has been in the news recently for delayed salary payments, with a letter from August 9 to its employees acknowledging delays in salary disbursement for July. The communication cited pressing operational and financial commitments as the reason for the hold-up.
Despite these financial strains, SpiceJet has maintained that its operations remain unaffected by the recent advisory. The resolution of the dispute with Mumbai Airport reflects a temporary yet significant alignment between the two parties, ensuring that passenger services and flight schedules proceed without further disruption. As SpiceJet continues to navigate these challenges, the swift resolution of the advisory dispute suggests a stabilisation of its operational framework at least in the immediate term.
