SpiceJet begins reducing flights, cancels 40 for 'fleet restructuring'

New Delhi: Cash-strapped low cost carrier SpiceJet has cancelled up to 40 flights across the country due to “fleet restructuring”. The airline said it “was not going the Kingfisher way” and indicated that talks to get an investor on board for recapitalisation were underway.

Affected passengers were being accommodated on flights of other airlines or were being refunded fares immediately, the airline said. But the cancellations are bound to shake passenger confidence.

Aviation regulator DGCA could also be ascertaining from SpiceJet as to how many flight cancellations per day are being resorted to, along with details of the financial liabilities of the airline. Asked by reporters whether 70 flights had been cancelled on Monday, airline officials refused to specify a figure.

Top officials of SpiceJet said that 26 to 28 aircraft were currently operational, down from 35 in July. It would be about 30 by the end of November and get back to 35 by December.