Category Archives: SpiceJet

SpiceJet unveils a 44th Chess Olympiad special livery on VT-SPZ

SpiceJet has unveiled a special livery on its Boeing 737-85R VT-SYZ to mark the opening ceremony of the 44th Chess Olympiad being held in Chennai. The initiative, in association with government of Tamil Nadu, is the latest in a series of collaborations where SpiceJet’s most lucrative media asset, the aircraft livery, has been leveraged as a unique platform for promotions.

The Chess Olympiad held biennially is the largest team chess tournament in the world. The event is being hosted by India for the first time from July 28 until August 10, 2022.

Following the unveiling of the special aircraft livery, SpiceJet took around 150 students from government schools from across the State on a special joy ride on its B737 aircraft which was flagged-off by the Hon’ble Minister for School Education, Tamil Nadu, Sh. Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Hon’ble Minister for Environment-Climate Change & Youth Welfare & Sports, Sh. Siva V Meyyanathan, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Sh. Thangam Thennarasu, Hon’ble Minister for MSME and Tamil Nadu Urban Habitation Development Board, Sh. Tha Mo Anbarasan and Hon’ble MLA, Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, Sh. Udhayanidhi Stalin.

The joyride over Chennai skies was an experience of a lifetime for many students and is akin to the airline’s signature program Sapnon ki Udaan, wherein the airline takes underprivileged children on special joy flights.

 

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SpiceJet aircraft photo gallery:

SpiceJet is on the brink, can it survive again?

The Madras High Court has ordered the slow dismantlement of SpiceJet after it failed to pay the bills of SR Technics for maintenance on their aircraft.

The past due bills are reportedly total around $24 million.

The court put the ruling in abeyance for three weeks provided the airline finds around $5 million.

The airline has stated it will appeal the court decision.

Ajay Singh to the rescue?

Previously the airline issued this financial report last month:

SpiceJet cuts down net loss to INR 561.7 Cr in Q2 FY2022 from INR 729 Cr in Q1 FY2022

Reports EBIDTAR profit of INR 50.6 Cr, 149% growth Quarter on Quarter

Strong showing in passenger business – highest domestic load factor of 78%, increase in passenger revenue by 53%, yield up by 30%, flight departures increase by 39% as compared to Q1 FY2022

Positive tailwinds: Return of the 737 MAX in Q3 FY2022, settlement with majority of MAX lessors, transfer of logistics business, shareholder approval for fund raise of up to INR 2500 Cr
For the Quarter ending September 2021

  • Sustained market leadership in passenger RASK amongst listed Indian peers
  • Capacity (in terms of Seat Kilometres) increased by 7% as compared to the last quarter
  • Passenger revenue increased by 53% Quarter on Quarter
  • Yield up by 30% Quarter on Quarter
  • Flight departures increase by 39% Quarter on Quarter
  • Shareholders approve fund raise of up to INR 2,500 Crore through QIP
  • Significant contribution of 20% in passenger revenue from charter services
  • EBIDTAR profit of INR 50.6 Crore

Key highlights for the quarter – SpiceXpress

  • Shareholders approve transfer of cargo and logistics services business to SpiceXpress and Logistics Private Limited
  • SpiceXpress’s network spans over 69 domestic & 107 international destinations including to US, Europe and Africa
  • Carried more than 45,000 tonnes of cargo in Q2 FY2022
  • Operating a fleet of 17 cargo aircraft including 7 wide-body planes

Key highlights for the quarter – Passenger

  • Launched 27 new routes during the quarter, including 12 industry-first flights
  • Added Bhavnagar to its domestic network
  • Operated 325 charters to various countries including Armenia, Serbia, Albania, Maldives, Seychelles, Tashkent, Italy, Saudi Arabia transporting over 43,000 passengers
  • Operated long-haul flights from Maldives to Toronto on Boeing-767 wide-body aircraft
  • Launched Forex services in partnership with BookMyForex
  • Entered into an exclusive partnership with EaseMyTrip for holiday bookings
  • Trialled the IATA travel pass on Maldives & Dubai sectors
  • Finalised settlements terms with Avolon and CDB Aviation – two of its major lessors of MAX aircraft. Positive discussion underway with other lessors as well
  • Made it to the prestigious Skytrax “World Top 20 LCC” rankings for the first time

Current highlights for the quarter – Passenger

  • Launched a new platform to book Tours, Activities and experiences in partnership with Thrillophilia
  • First Indian airline to be awarded ‘Diamond’ rating for upholding flight health and safety amid Covid pandemic from APEX Health Safety
  • Launched its new website aimed at providing an enhanced customer experience
  • Celebrated India’s 100 crore vaccination milestone with special aircraft livery
  • First & only airline to launch non-stop flights connecting Delhi with Tirupati

SpiceJet, the country’s favorite airline and the leading logistics platform, cut down its net loss in the traditionally weak Q2 despite Covid-19 continuing to affect demand. On a standalone basis, the net loss was reduced to INR 561.7 crore as against INR 729 crore in the first quarter of FY2022.

Total revenue was INR 1,539 crore for the reported quarter as against INR 1,266 crore in the last quarter. For the same comparative period, operating expenses were INR 2,100 crore as against INR 1,995 crore. On an EBITDA basis, loss was INR 106.5 crore for the reported quarter as against loss of INR 244 crore for the last quarter.

The Company’s business operations continued to be significantly impacted due to the second wave of Covid-19 which continued to impact travel demand negatively during the quarter ended September 2021.

SpiceXpress continued with its upward performance reporting increased revenue of INR 497 crore for the reported quarter as compared to INR 473 crore in the last quarter, a jump of 5%. The reported quarter though witnessed a negative cash flow as the continuing rise in fuel costs could not be passed on to our customers due to committed long term contracts. These have now been re-negotiated and corrected to suit the present operating cost environment.

Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, said, “We have made excellent progress in our recovery and I expect this trend to continue forward in the coming quarters. With the nationwide vaccination drive growing at an unprecedented pace across geographies, there is a significant jump in travel demand and we are very excited about the demand recovery. The settlement with key lessors, the return of the 737 MAX in the current quarter (Q3), transfer of the logistics business and some very significant announcements lined up soon are all positive tailwinds that should have a significant impact on our long term plans.”

“The return of the 737 MAX comes at the perfect time for us with passenger traffic picking-up and the government allowing airlines to operate at full capacity. We look forward to inducting additional capacity in the form of our 737 MAX aircraft that will upswing our operational efficiencies and provide significant cost saving capabilities.”

In terms of operational parameters, SpiceJet had the best passenger load factor amongst all airlines in the country during the quarter. The average domestic load factor for the quarter was 78%.

In the reported quarter, SpiceJet received shareholders’ approval to transfer its cargo and logistics services business to its subsidiary, SpiceXpress and Logistics Private Limited, as a going concern, on slump sale basis valued at INR 2,555.77 crore. The transfer of the logistics business once consummated will result in a one-time gain for SpiceJet wiping out a substantial portion of the company’s negative net worth.

SpiceJet has also finalized terms of settlements with Avolon and CDB Aviation, two of its major lessors of 737 MAX aircraft. These settlements and operations of 737 MAX aircraft will result in significant savings for the airline. The airline expects to start flying its MAX aircraft soon once all regulatory approvals have been received.

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SpiceJet aircraft slide show:

SpiceJet aircraft photo gallery:

SpiceJet to resume Boeing 737 MAX operations on October 5

"White Pepper"

From the the Times of India:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/boeing-737-max-to-start-flying-passengers-again-from-october-5-spicejet/articleshow/86537556.cms

Top Copyright Photo: SpiceJet Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 VT-MXM (msn 60225) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 948124.

SpiceJet aircraft slide show:

 

SpiceJet to trial the IATA Travel Pass

SpiceJet made this announcement:

In a step towards building passenger confidence as international travel picks up, SpiceJet will begin trial of IATA (International Air Transport Association) Travel Pass mobile app for digital health verification. The trial will be conducted on flights out of Mumbai to Male effective August 23, 2021.

The IATA Travel Pass is a mobile application that helps travelers to store and manage their verified certifications for Covid-19 tests or vaccinations. The Travel Pass will manage and verify the traveller’s COVID-19 status in line with governments’ health and border requirements.

In another significant development, SpiceHealth has been on-boarded by IATA as a lab partner for the Travel Pass trial. SpiceHealth is a healthcare company founded by the promoters of SpiceJet.

SpiceHealth has emerged as the fastest-growing diagnostic lab in the country – having conducted more than 3.5 million RT-PCR tests since its launch in November 2020. SpiceHealth laboratories are accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories and Indian Council of Medical Research. SpiceHealth currently operates 21 labs and collection centers for RT-PCR and rapid antigen testing spread across eleven cities in India. Besides, the Company also operates seven vaccination centers across five states.

Other news: SpiceJet launches 14 domestic routes:

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/spicejet-launches-14-domestic-flights-connecting-new-destinations-11629472739939.html

 

SpiceJet brings in oxygen concentrators to India from China, defers 50% of its employee’s salaries

"White Pepper"

SpiceJet is doing its part to help in the COVID-19 surge in India. The company has brought in over 4,400 oxygen concentrators to India from China in the past two weeks. The company made this announcement on social media:

In other news, SpiceJet is reeling due to the COVID crisis in India. The airline is deferring up to 50% of its employee’s salaries for April due to a capital crunch and a severe drop in passenger traffic.

Top Copyright Photo: SpiceJet Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 VT-MXM (msn 60225) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 948124.

SpiceJet aircraft slide show:

SpiceJet signs MOU with Avenue Capital Group for financing, acquisition and sale and lease‐back of up to 50 aircraft

SpiceJet has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Avenue Capital Group, New York, for a strategic alliance in respect of the financing, acquisition and sale and lease‐back of 50 new planes to be ordered by the airline.

The MOU sets out the next steps and conditions upon which Avenue, as part of the strategic alliance with SpiceJet, will assist with placing of SpiceJet’s new aircraft portfolio including sale and lease‐back of and also assumption of ownership of potentially up to 50 of these aircraft.

SpiceJet aircraft photo gallery:

SpiceJet aircraft slide show:

Gulf Air and SpiceJet to explore options to work together

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and SpiceJet, India’s favorite carrier, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore greater cooperation between the two airlines including an interline and codeshare agreement, coordinated cargo services, engineering services and pilot training. The MoU was signed by Mr. Krešimir Kučko, Gulf Air’s Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director at SpiceJet.

Besides looking at a codeshare and interline agreement, the scope of the MoU includes the two airlines exploring growth opportunities beyond network expansion by leveraging each other’s strengths. Gulf Air and SpiceJet will look at collaborating in the field of pilot training to nurture talent in order to deliver the finest resources for both the airlines. The airlines will also engage and collaborate to enhance their respective cargo and engineering services. The signing of this MOU between the two carriers aims at initiation of collaboration between the two carriers, and further strengthening the strong ties between India and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Gulf Air currently operates 82 weekly flights to eight destinations in India: Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Hyderabad, Calicut and Bangalore. SpiceJet currently operates flights to more than 50 destinations within the Republic of India.

SpiceJet to open a hub in Ras al-Khaimah, UAE

SpiceJet has announced its intention to build its first international hub in the United Arab Emirates, specifically in Ras al-Khaimah. The UAE’s emerging travel destination, which will serve as a new home for India’s affordable SpiceJet. More on the news below:

  • SpiceJet chairman and managing director Ajay Singh stated India’s second-largest airline would use this new hub to extend its range as far as Western Europe. SpiceJet flights between New Delhi and Ras al-Khaimah should begin in December.
  • SpiceJet, which Singh retook control of in 2015, has embarked on an expansion. It operates a fleet of 111 Boeing and Bombardier aircraft and flies to over 50 Indian destinations and a handful of international routes, including Dubai.
  • Under the plan, SpiceJet would begin flights in Ras al-Khaimah, then work over the coming months to create the hub there, either under the SpiceJet name or another. It will maintain its flights to Dubai.

The opening of the international hub is one of many exciting ventures happening in Ras al-Khaimah, which has emerged as the leading UAE destination for those seeking a culturally-immersive experience with luxury amenities and rich history. Beyond the SpiceJet hub, this hidden gem is on a mission to host the world’s largest firework show during New Year’s Eve 2020. Celebrity guests, renowned performers, events, games and more are currently in the works to culminate the never-before-seen celebration.

SpiceJet aircraft photo gallery: