MUMBAI: Mumbai airport and SpiceJet had a run in on social media on Monday over the latter’s pending dues. It started when the airport tweeted a passenger advisory stating that SpiceJet’s flight operations out of Mumbai will be “temporarily disrupted” from Aug 13 midnight. Mumbai airport posted the tweet on its official X handle “@CSMIA_Official”, but deleted it later.In the meantime, SpiceJet issued a statement stating that flight operations to and from Mumbai will operate as normal.
The tweet posted by Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), which was eventually deleted said: “Mumbai airport is working with the airline to address the situation to minimise inconvenience to passengers..Passengers are advised to connect with the SpiceJet helpdesk or call centre on the status of their flights“
Later in the evening, SpiceJet in a statement said: “The passenger advisory issued by MIAL has been withdrawn. Our flight operations in and out of Mumbai are operating normally. SpiceJet and MIAL have worked collaboratively to swiftly resolve a minor financial matter.”
Sources said that the airport has taken the step over pending dues owed by the airline in the form of parking charges, rentals etc.
SpiceJet, which has been battling financial woes, has been in news for delayed salary payments, this time, for the month of July. In a letter sent recently its employees the airline addressed the salary issue. “I do understand we are all very apprehensive regarding the salary payouts. In fact we have flawed and delayed the salaries this month beyond expectations. The salaries as assured were to be released yesterday, however with some pressing operational financial commitments the same was not feasible,” said a letter sent to employees on Aug 9. The letter said the airline was looking for a “decent bridge funding and once that comes in things should start looking up”, the letter said.
In June, SpiceJet’s on-time performance for Mumbai airport was about 43%, showing that 57 % of its departure flights from Mumbai was delayed, showed directorate general of civil aviation data. The airline had a domestic market share of 4.2 % in June and had flown about 16.7 lakh passengers across the country.
The tweet posted by Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), which was eventually deleted said: “Mumbai airport is working with the airline to address the situation to minimise inconvenience to passengers..Passengers are advised to connect with the SpiceJet helpdesk or call centre on the status of their flights“
Later in the evening, SpiceJet in a statement said: “The passenger advisory issued by MIAL has been withdrawn. Our flight operations in and out of Mumbai are operating normally. SpiceJet and MIAL have worked collaboratively to swiftly resolve a minor financial matter.”
Sources said that the airport has taken the step over pending dues owed by the airline in the form of parking charges, rentals etc.
SpiceJet, which has been battling financial woes, has been in news for delayed salary payments, this time, for the month of July. In a letter sent recently its employees the airline addressed the salary issue. “I do understand we are all very apprehensive regarding the salary payouts. In fact we have flawed and delayed the salaries this month beyond expectations. The salaries as assured were to be released yesterday, however with some pressing operational financial commitments the same was not feasible,” said a letter sent to employees on Aug 9. The letter said the airline was looking for a “decent bridge funding and once that comes in things should start looking up”, the letter said.
In June, SpiceJet’s on-time performance for Mumbai airport was about 43%, showing that 57 % of its departure flights from Mumbai was delayed, showed directorate general of civil aviation data. The airline had a domestic market share of 4.2 % in June and had flown about 16.7 lakh passengers across the country.
