Dubai Airports Suspends SpiceJet Check-ins Over Unpaid Dues

Dubai Airports suspended passenger check-in services for SpiceJet on November 12, 2026, citing unpaid dues of approximately 14 million UAE dirhams (₹35.85 crore). The operator of Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport reported that no payments had been received since October 13, with internal communications linking the disruption to unpaid debts owed to ground-handling agency dnata.

While check-ins remained available for flights to Ahmedabad and Delhi, the airline was forced to cancel four subsequent flights to Amritsar, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Delhi, operating them as empty ferry services. A SpiceJet spokesperson stated the company is working with authorities to resolve the matter, noting that "adequate bank guarantee cover" is in place.

The suspension comes amid severe financial and operational decline for the carrier. Its operational fleet has shrunk to nine aircraft, and its domestic market share in India fell from 3.9% in January to 0.6% in September 2026. Regulatory filings further indicate that the airline owes ₹63.03 crore to small businesses.