SpiceJet has once again delayed salary payments for a section of its workforce, according to people aware of the matter. Employees earning up to ₹55,000 per month have received their August salaries, while staff in higher pay brackets, particularly Assistant Managers and above, are experiencing delays of 10 to 15 days.
The airline did not issue a response to queries regarding the payment issue.
As per its annual report for FY25, SpiceJet employed 6,484 people, of which 4,894 were permanent staff. The same report revealed that the company had extended an interest-free advance of ₹32 crore to Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh during FY25. The loan, approved by the board and the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, is to be repaid over a five-year period. The company adjusted part of this advance against Singh’s remuneration in April and May 2025 and noted that the arrangement was not harmful to the company’s interests.
Financially, the carrier reported a net loss of ₹238 crore for the June quarter of the current financial year.
Operational data from fleet tracking website Planespotter.com indicated that as of 13 September, SpiceJet had 18 active aircraft out of a total fleet of 53. Despite repeated announcements over the past year to expand its fleet by at least 10 planes on three separate occasions, the number of operational aircraft has remained flat. At the end of July last year, SpiceJet had the same 18 aircraft flying, while 38 remained grounded out of a total of 56.