SpiceJet Removed From DGCA's Enhanced Surveillance Regime

The airline, which has been facing multiple headwinds, was placed under enhanced surveillance on 11th July.

Senior DGCA official shares recent updates:

"Aviation watchdog DGCA has taken off SpiceJet from its enhanced surveillance regime," a senior official said on Tuesday.

The senior DGCA official said that "in view of the observations made in the past concerning inadequate maintenance and in view of the incidents during the monsoon season last year, SpiceJet was placed under enhanced surveillance."

“Accordingly 51 spot checks were conducted across 11 locations pan India, on the Boeing 737 and Bombardier DHC Q-400 fleet of aircraft, where in a total 23 aircraft were inspected and 95 observations were made by the DGCA teams," the official said.

"The findings were of routine nature and were not considered significant by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)."

“Suitable maintenance action was taken by the airline to address the findings in accordance with DGCA guidelines. As a consequence, SpiceJet has been taken off the enhanced surveillance regime by DGCA," the official said.

Words from SpiceJet spokesperson:

When contacted, a SpiceJet spokesperson had said, “the information is absolutely incorrect and is strongly denied".

"No such communication has been received by the airline from the DGCA," the spokesperson had said in a statement on July 11.

Earlier instances of Spicejet under DGCA surveillance:

On 27 July 2022, the civil aviation regulator asked SpiceJet to cut the total number of flights by 50 per cent for eight weeks after repeated safety incidents with the airline. During this period, the airline was subject to “enhanced surveillance”. The restrictions were lifted on October 30 last year.

Spicejet to get huge investment:

Couple of days ago, it was reported that SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh was planning to invest ₹500 crore into the airline, to boost its financial position amid multiple headwinds.

Ajay Singh, who is the Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet, said he is pleased to infuse ₹500 crore into the company.

"SpiceJet has a bright future and I am committed to helping it achieve its full potential. This investment will allow the airline to accelerate its growth plans and capture new opportunities in the market, grow its revenue and profits," he said.

Meanwhile, SpiceJet shares have underperformed the Nifty50 by more than 40% over the last 12 months and given negative returns of 22% according to Trendlyne data.