India Pushes SpiceJet to Expand Fleet Amid Financial Crisis

Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu announced that the Indian government is pushing SpiceJet to resolve its financial difficulties and expand its flight operations. The airline currently operates only 11 aircraft but has finalized lease agreements to induct 20 additional Boeing and Airbus aircraft between mid-October and mid-November. This expansion is intended to increase the airline's capacity to approximately 200 daily flights before the winter travel peak.

While SpiceJet has not requested direct government support, it is seeking funds through the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS). Specifically, the airline is targeting ECLGS 5.0, a program approved by the Union Cabinet in May to assist carriers struggling with liquidity constraints and high fuel prices.

Separately, Minister Naidu noted that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is continuing its probe into an incident involving an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi, with a preliminary report expected soon.