Indian Aviation in Turmoil?

Published On: August 30, 2024 - Recent times have been challenging for the Indian aviation industry, with major developments impacting both budget carriers and full-service airlines. The latest news reveals that budget airline SpiceJet is once again in crisis mode, struggling with severe financial difficulties. The airline has decided to furlough 150 cabin crew members for three months, a move that highlights its ongoing financial woes. Furloughing, which involves temporarily halting paid employment due to financial constraints, is a major step that reflects the airline's desperate measures to stabilize its situation. SpiceJet is also under the scrutiny of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation or the DGCA that recently acted against the carrier amid reports of passengers being stopped from boarding at Dubai airport due to unpaid dues. This marks the second disruption of SpiceJet flights from Dubai this month, underscoring the airline's mounting operational and financial challenges. Meanwhile, the Indian aviation sector is witnessing a major shift as Vistara and Air India prepare for a major merger. Starting September 3, 2024, Vistara will cease to accept bookings for travel on or after November 12, 2024. This merger marks a transformative period for both airlines and passengers should be aware of the upcoming changes. According to an official statement from Vistara, customers will progressively lose the ability to book flights with the airline for dates beyond November 11, 2024, as the integration with Air India moves forward.