Some SpiceJet flights stopped at Delhi Airport for non-payment to AAI; airline says issue resolved

NEW DELHI: A number of SpiceJet flights were not allowed to operate on Friday from Delhi Airport due to the airline — which has been put on cash-and-carry by Airports Authority of India (AAI) — not making the required payments a day earlier. Due to this AAI asked air traffic control, which comes under it, to stop some SpiceJet flights. The airline says its auto payment facility had an issue due to which the payment to could not be made.

“Due to a technical glitch in SAP, the automatic daily payment could not be processed. The same is being made manually to AAI which has been apprised of the issue. SpiceJet’s flight operations are now continuing normally,” said a SpiceJet spokesperson.
Airlines with weak financials and also significant dues are routinely put on cash-and-carry — meaning denied credit facility — by oil and airport companies. SpiceJet sources claim the airline’s dues to AAI have substantially been cleared in recent past. Comments from AAI were sought and are awaited.