SpiceJet Allowed To Operate Flights With Full Capacity From October 30 As DGCA Lifts Curbs

SpiceJet was allowed to operate only 50 per cent of departures after the airline reported a number of technical malfunction incidents over the past few months.

SpiceJet

Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday allowed budget carrier SpiceJet to operate flights with full capacity from October 30. The DGCA order comes as a relief for SpiceJet, which was allowed to operate only 50 per cent of departures after the airline reported a number of technical malfunction incidents over the past few months.

On July 27, the DGCA had ordered SpiceJet to operate a maximum of 50 per cent of its flights for eight weeks. It was subsequently extended till October 29. In its review in September, DGCA noted that SpiceJet had shown an appreciable reduction in the number of safety incidents.

The development comes days after a SpiceJet flight made an emergency landing at Hyderabad airport after smoke was detected in the cabin on October 12.

The DGCA, following a probe, directed the airline to send the engine oil samples of the entire Q400 fleet consisting of 14 operational aircraft to Pratt & Whitney Canada to ascertain the presence of metal and carbon seat particles.

The DGCA has also directed SpiceJet for inspection of bleed-off valve screen and housing for evidence of oil wetness.

In its order, DGCA directed that engine oil samples be periodically drawn every 15 days instead of presently 30 days and sent to Pratt & Whitney Canada.

SpiceJet has reported a net loss of Rs 789 crore (Rs 420 crore excluding forex adjustment) for the quarter ending June 30 as compared to a net loss of Rs 729 crore in the quarter ending June 30, 2021, IANS reported.

Earlier this week, SpiceJet, in a statement, said it had revised the salary structure for its Captains, increasing their monthly remuneration to Rs 7 lakh per month for 80 hours of flying, from November.

The airline claimed that with this latest hike, the salaries of its Captains would be higher as compared to their pre-Covid salaries.

Salaries of Trainers and senior First Officers have also been increased commensurately, the airline said.

(With inputs form agencies)