After Kingfisher Airlines, SpiceJet gives ‘heart attack’ to minister

New Delhi: Maintaining that certain regulations restricting the growth in the aviation sector need a re-look, civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Thursday in another significant comment said, “SpiceJet seems to be giving us heart attacks as far as airlines are concerned”. The minister’s comments show that the ministry is worried over the financial turmoil afflicting the aviation sector and could therefore usher in new policies that aim to boost investment in the sector and enable airlines to generate more revenue for financial stability.

“For some odd reasons, we have restricted the growth of airlines in the country. We have developed regulations which pulls back Indians, which does not allow Indians to perform. So, I think there also we have to work,” Mr Raju said. “We are running through a lot of turbulent weather... Not only the public sector, private sector is also crashing. (With) Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) crashing and, right now, SpiceJet seems to be giving us heart attacks as far as airlines are concerned,” Mr. Raju was quoted by news agencies.

The comment from the minister on SpiceJet shows the anxiety among aviation authorities who are hoping that SpiceJet does not go the Kingfisher way.SpiceJet had admitted that it was cancelling some of its flights but had claimed this was not because of financial stress.

In view of cancellation of some of the SpiceJet flights recently resulting in massive inconvenience for passengers, aviation regulator DGCA has been strongly considering a move to “restrain” SpiceJet from taking fresh bookings from passengers beyond 15 days but the government may not permit any move that could push the low cost carrier into deeper financial trouble.