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Flights & Airports 2 min read

SpiceJet on cash-and-carry at airports: 25-30 daily cancellations and what to check before you fly

SpiceJet is cancelling 25-30 flights a day and paying airport charges daily amid a cash crunch: fleet down to 12 planes, Andaman tourism hit. What passengers should do before flying.

12 Nov 2026
Last verified: 12 Nov 2026
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An Indian family with luggage looking worried at a departures board showing cancelled flights at an airport
At a glance
Situation
Cash-and-carry airport charges; ops restricted
Cancellations
25-30 flights daily, often last-minute
Fleet
Down to 12 aircraft; 3 wet-leased grounded
Impact
Andaman (Sri Vijayapuram) tourism hit
Advice
Check status twice; know refund rights
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Booked on SpiceJet in the coming weeks? Check your flight status before you leave for the airport. The airline is cancelling 25 to 30 flights a day, often at the last minute, and is now paying airport charges on a daily cash-and-carry basis because it cannot clear dues, according to reports dated 10 to 12 November 2026. Airport authorities have imposed operational restrictions, and the airline is operating well under half of its approved winter schedule.

How deep the problem runs

SpiceJet's fleet has shrunk to 12 aircraft, of which three wet-leased planes are grounded over non-payment, CNBC-TV18 reported. The DGCA-approved winter schedule allows 69 to 80 daily movements, but operational data shows the airline flew only 26 to 38 flights a day between 5 and 9 November. Its market share fell to 0.6 percent in September 2026, on-time performance was 16.6 percent, and more than 20 percent of flights were cancelled. Employee salaries have been unpaid since June, sources said. The New Indian Express reports that the Civil Aviation Ministry has allowed SpiceJet a cash-and-carry arrangement for airport charges while other airlines pay monthly or quarterly.

Andaman and tourism impact

The Indian Association of Tour Operators has written to Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu seeking intervention, saying frequent cancellations of SpiceJet flights to Sri Vijayapuram (formerly Port Blair) are hurting tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. If you have Andaman travel booked on SpiceJet, build buffer days into your plan and keep alternative flights in mind.

What passengers should do

SpiceJet continues to accept bookings months in advance, so the risk sits with the traveller. Check your flight status the night before and again before leaving home. If your flight is cancelled, ask for a full refund or rebooking in writing; under DGCA rules, airlines owe refunds for cancellations, and compensation applies when the airline does not inform you in time. For weddings, exams, cruises or international connections, consider moving critical legs to another airline now rather than gambling on the day. Keep screenshots of cancellation messages for refund and insurance claims.

We track airline reliability news that affects Indian family travel and update this page as the situation changes. Last verified: 12 November 2026 against CNBC-TV18 (10 November) and The New Indian Express (12 November) reports.

SpiceJet airport charges cash and carrySpiceJet Andaman flights cancelledSpiceJet cancellationsSpiceJet refund
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Cheshta Agarwal
Founder · Travel Creator · Lawyer

A Miranda House graduate and lawyer who traded courtrooms for slow travel. Cheshta travels with the batches we host ourselves, with a soft spot for travelling alongside elders.

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Questions on this article

asked by readers, answered by us

Why is SpiceJet cancelling so many flights?

Reports from 10 to 12 November 2026 say SpiceJet is cancelling 25 to 30 flights a day, often at the last minute. Its fleet has shrunk to 12 aircraft, three wet-leased planes are grounded over non-payment, and the airline pays airport charges on a cash-and-carry basis because it cannot clear dues.

What should I do if my SpiceJet flight is cancelled?

Ask for a full refund or rebooking in writing. Under DGCA rules airlines must refund cancelled flights, and compensation applies when you are not informed in time. Check your flight status the night before and again before leaving home, and keep screenshots of cancellation messages for refund and insurance claims.

Are Andaman flights affected?

Yes. The Indian Association of Tour Operators has told the Civil Aviation Minister that frequent cancellations of SpiceJet flights to Sri Vijayapuram (formerly Port Blair) are hurting tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. If you have Andaman travel booked on SpiceJet, build buffer days and keep alternatives in mind.

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