New Delhi: After SpiceJet issued a weather-related disruption alert for its flights to and from Kochi on Saturday, the airport administration accused the airline of “spreading misinformation”, hinting that the carrier was using bad weather as a cover for its own operational delays.
Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), in a scathing denial, said, “SpiceJet has issued a social media communication spreading misinformation by attributing the disruption to bad weather at Kochi. However, there was no adverse weather condition at Kochi warranting the disruption cited in the communication.”
At 6:02 AM, SpiceJet posted on X advising passengers about bad weather in Kochi. It said, “Due to bad weather in Kochi (COK), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flight might be affected. Passengers are requested to check their flight status.”
However, CIAL said no other airlines were facing any weather-related issues. “It may be noted that no other airline operating from Kochi has reported such cancellations on account of weather during the same period.”
CIAL further noted that the airline was failing to “satisfactorily address” passenger grievances amid “continuing operational issues” faced by SpiceJet. It said the situation had “worsened over the past few days.”
In its statement, CIAL instead advised SpiceJet passengers to check their flight status with the airline before proceeding to the airport.
The row comes at a time when the airline has reportedly failed to pay salaries to employees on time, faces a depleting fleet and has impending orders in at least seven insolvency cases filed by lessors before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
The airline’s market share has also declined for five consecutive months, falling to a historic low of 1.6% in July this year. Its On-Time Performance (OTP) has also suffered, with the fourth-largest carrier consistently emerging as a laggard.
