DGCA Removes SpiceJet From Its Enhanced Surveillance Regime

SpiceJet, which has been facing multiple headwinds, was placed under enhanced surveillance recently

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

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Indian aviation watchdog the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken off SpiceJet from its enhanced surveillance regime, a senior official said on Tuesday, according to a report by PTI. The airline, which has been facing multiple headwinds, was placed under enhanced surveillance recently.

Accordig to a senior DGCA official, 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 across 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. 

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 by DGCA.

The findings were of routine nature and were not considered significant by the 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.

On July 11, PTI reported that the DGCA placed SpiceJet under the enhanced surveillance regime and on that day, the airline refuted any such development. 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. 

Meanwhile, SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh has decided to infuse Rs 500 crore into the airline amid financial crunch. This capital infusion aims to strengthen the company's financial position amid multiple headwinds. In a statement released on Wednesday, the airline said that the fresh equity investment will also enable SpiceJet to avail additional credit facilities of Rs 206 crore under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).