Dubai’s Airport Stopped Checking In an Entire Airline Over a Bill

Dubai Airports has stopped processing check-in for SpiceJet, the struggling Indian low-cost carrier, after it fell behind on its airport bills. According to the airport operator, SpiceJet owes about AED 14 million, roughly $3.8 million or ₹35.8 crore, and has not made a payment since October 13. The airline was warned on November 9 that service would be withdrawn, and check-in was suspended from November 12. Without check-in, an airline simply cannot board passengers at the airport, regardless of whether its aircraft are ready to fly.

The immediate result was four cancelled return flights from Dubai to Amritsar, Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi. A couple of departures to Ahmedabad and Delhi managed to leave before the cutoff took effect. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority then summoned SpiceJet’s station manager and ordered the airline to rebook stranded travelers and pay for their hotels and ground transport. SpiceJet, for its part, says it has adequate bank-guarantee cover in place.

The airport dispute lands on top of wider trouble. The Bombay Stock Exchange plans to suspend trading in SpiceJet shares from December 10 because the company’s financial results are overdue; the airline has promised to publish them by December 7. Reports say SpiceJet is down to around a dozen aircraft, three of them grounded, and that some staff have not been paid since June.

If you are booked on SpiceJet in or out of Dubai, check the flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport, and get any rebooking or refund promise in writing. Paying by credit card gives you a chargeback route if a refund never arrives. With Air India Express, IndiGo and Emirates all flying the same city pairs, it may be simpler to rebook elsewhere than to wait for a resolution.

Sources: AeroTime, Business Today