A SpiceJet flight scheduled to operate from Delhi to Leh encountered a technical problem on February 24, resulting in the aircraft returning to its departure airport. The incident disrupted the planned journey to the high-altitude destination in Ladakh.

Flight Operations Disrupted

The technical problem forced the flight crew to make the decision to return to Delhi rather than continue to Leh. Such operational disruptions require airlines to manage passenger inconvenience while prioritizing safety protocols.

Technical Issues Impact Service

Airline technical problems can arise from various operational factors and require immediate attention to ensure passenger safety. The return to the origin airport demonstrates standard aviation safety procedures when technical issues are identified during flight operations.

The Delhi-Leh route serves as an important connection to the Ladakh region, and any disruptions can impact passenger travel plans. Airlines operating on such routes must maintain high operational standards given the challenging terrain and weather conditions often encountered in the region.

SpiceJet has achieved a remarkable turnaround in its domestic market position, with market share more than doubling from 1.9% to 4.3% in three months. This significant improvement reflects the airline's successful capacity expansion strategy and operational recovery efforts.

Market Share Recovery and Q3 Performance

The strong rebound was driven by a 56% expansion in capacity during Q3, supported by the strategic induction of 16 aircraft during the quarter. This substantial capacity increase enabled the airline to strengthen its network presence and improve flight schedules across key markets.

Fleet Expansion and Capacity Growth

SpiceJet has received a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the induction of 10 aircraft, marking another important milestone in the airline's ongoing expansion efforts. The MoU follows the Board's approval for a calibrated ramp-up of the fleet to 60 aircraft through a mix of wet and damp leases, along with the phased return to service of existing grounded aircraft.

Capacity Performance Targets

The airline doubled its capacity in the last quarter, with Available Seat Kilometres (ASKMs) rising from around 55 crore to 105 crore. Building on this momentum, SpiceJet plans to increase its capacity to 220 crore Available Seat Kilometres by Winter 2026, while operating over 300 daily flights across its network.

Strategic Growth Focus

Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer, SpiceJet, emphasized the significance of the market share improvement: "The sharp rise in our market share over a short period reflects the progress we have made in rebuilding capacity and restoring our network. Doubling capacity in the last quarter and expanding our fleet during Q3 have helped us regain presence across key routes."

The expansion strategy focuses on:

• Strengthening network connectivity across key routes
• Improving operational reliability and flight schedules
• Meeting strong passenger demand sustainably
• Scaling up operations in a measured manner

Network Rebuilding and Future Outlook

With the planned capacity expansion, SpiceJet expects to significantly increase its market share further. The airline continues to pursue a balanced growth strategy, combining fleet restoration with selective capacity additions as it works towards strengthening its network and long-term sustainability.

SpiceJet operates a fleet of Boeing 737s and Q-400s and is one of the country's largest regional players operating multiple daily flights under UDAN or the Regional Connectivity Scheme. The majority of SpiceJet's fleet offers SpiceMax, the most spacious economy-class seating in India.