SpiceJet Permitted To Accept Advanced Bookings

Friday, 23rd January 2015 at 02:01am

SpiceJet heaved a sigh of relief after the aviation regulator lifted its earlier ruling against the former, preventing them to sell tickets for the summer schedule.

The airline was earlier restricted to sell tickets beyond March 31, 2015 after it suffered financial crisis starting last year. Last year, SpiceJet had to cancel a significant number of scheduled flights that largely affected its normal operations.

Last month, the airline official was pleased to announce that DGCA has lifted the suspension. The same official said that ticket booking for the summer schedule is now open.

In India, summer is a peak season wherein travel demand soars, enabling local airlines to maximize their flights' capacity. The annual summer schedule for most Indian airlines usually lasts between March 29 and October 31.

The airline had requested the authority to lift the suspension to allow them to recover as they try to undergo restructuring and management reorganization to control the impact of the crisis.

Part of the condition that the SpiceJet board had earlier agreed with promoter Kalanathi Maran was to transfer majority control of the airline back to Ajay Singh, its original founder, to better manage the airline's restructuring process.

SpiceJet has also proposed to the Ministry of Civil Aviation a similar scheme that would enable the airline to transition itself smoothly as it undergoes change of ownership and management.

By: Pete Lee.