Data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for September 2026 shows that the airline cancelled more than one in five scheduled flights, sharply higher than the industry average of 1.15%.

The airline’s operational difficulties were also visible on November 5 and 6, when several flights across major Indian cities and international routes, including Dubai, were listed as cancelled or delayed. Its active fleet has fallen to around 13 aircraft, while its domestic market share has slipped to just 0.6%, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the carrier.

Cancellation rate far above industry average

SpiceJet cancelled more than 20% of its scheduled flights in September. The airline had also recorded a cancellation rate above 20% in August, indicating that the disruption is not limited to a single month.

The contrast with the wider aviation sector is significant. The industry-wide cancellation rate stood at 1.15% in September, considerably lower than SpiceJet’s figure.

The airline’s on-time performance at 10 major airports was just 16.6% in September. In practical terms, around 83.4% of its flights failed to meet the on-time benchmark. By comparison, IndiGo recorded an on-time performance of 91%.

The disruption affected thousands of travellers. Around 36,000 passengers experienced delays exceeding two hours, while approximately 21,700 passengers were affected by cancellations during September.

Fleet reduction puts pressure on flight schedules

One of the biggest challenges for SpiceJet is the reduction in the number of aircraft available for operations. According to the report, the airline’s fleet has shrunk to approximately 13 aircraft, based on aircraft-tracking data from Planespotters.net.

A smaller operating fleet leaves an airline with less flexibility when aircraft require maintenance or when unexpected operational problems arise. If one aircraft is unavailable, the airline may struggle to arrange a replacement, potentially affecting several flights and creating delays across its network.

The reduction in capacity is also reflected in passenger numbers. SpiceJet carried around 73,000 passengers in September, compared with approximately 5.9 lakh in January - a decline of about 87%. Its domestic market share has fallen to 0.6%, indicating a significant loss of presence in the country’s aviation market.

The airline’s difficulties have been building over several months. Earlier reporting by Mint also highlighted grounded aircraft, financial pressure and a sharp fall in departures. In August 2026, SpiceJet’s cancellation rate was reported at 20.92%, while 48.05% of its flights were delayed by more than two hours.

Cancellations across major cities leave passengers uncertain

Flight disruptions on November 5 and 6 highlighted the immediate impact on passengers. Services connecting Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Pune and Kolkata were among those listed as cancelled, while some flights between Indian cities and Dubai were delayed or cancelled.

Among the services affected on November 5 were flights connecting Mumbai with Bengaluru and Kolkata, as well as Bengaluru with Mumbai and Kolkata. On November 6, cancellations were reported on routes including Mumbai-Bengaluru, Bengaluru-Mumbai, Delhi-Pune and Delhi-Bengaluru.

Some passengers also faced uncertainty over flights scheduled for November 7. According to the report, certain cancellations were communicated without suitable alternative flight options being presented to affected travellers.

These disruptions are particularly concerning for passengers with connecting journeys, work commitments, family functions or international travel plans. When cancellations are announced at short notice, finding another flight can become difficult and expensive, especially during busy travel periods.

Refunds and rebooking complaints add to passenger frustration

For many travellers, the inconvenience does not end with a cancelled flight. Passengers have also raised complaints about difficulties obtaining refunds, arranging alternative travel and contacting customer support.

Several travellers posted complaints on social media about cancellations, a lack of rebooking assistance and delays in receiving money back. One passenger reported that a booking for three people on a Dubai-Mumbai route had been cancelled without an alternative flight being offered, despite requesting re-accommodation instead of a refund.

Another traveller who had booked through Paytm said the platform had confirmed the cancellation, but the refund was still reportedly pending with the airline. Other complaints involved bookings made through travel agents, with passengers describing difficulties in getting clear information about their reservations.

These are individual passenger accounts cited in the NDTV Profit report and have not been independently verified. They nevertheless illustrate the uncertainty and frustration that can follow when flight disruptions are accompanied by unclear communication and delayed assistance.

Government and DGCA scrutiny of SpiceJet

The airline’s operational and financial difficulties have also attracted regulatory attention. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said on September 22 that the DGCA was conducting operational and financial scrutiny of SpiceJet.

The minister said the government’s priorities included passenger safety and preventing inconvenience to travellers. He also indicated that the government was engaging with the airline, while noting that its ability to intervene was limited because SpiceJet is a privately operated carrier.

Earlier, the government had confirmed that ₹150 crore had been disbursed to the airline. SpiceJet was also expected to work with banks and other stakeholders to address its financial difficulties.

The regulatory scrutiny comes amid concerns about the airline’s ability to operate its published schedule reliably. A carrier’s financial health can directly affect aircraft maintenance, availability of spare parts, payments to service providers and the ability to maintain sufficient operational capacity.

Can SpiceJet rebuild its operations?

SpiceJet’s immediate challenge is to restore a reliable operating fleet and reduce cancellations. The airline had previously discussed plans to induct additional aircraft through wet and damp leases to increase capacity. However, bringing aircraft into the fleet is only one part of the recovery process.

The company will also need to ensure that aircraft are available for regular service, maintenance arrangements are stable and operational resources can support the schedules being offered to passengers.

The continued availability of bookings well into 2027 has also raised questions about whether the airline’s current operating capacity is sufficient to support its published schedule. For passengers, the key concern is whether confirmed bookings will translate into dependable services.

A sustainable recovery will require more than announcements about expansion. Consistent flight operations, timely communication, effective rebooking support and prompt refunds will be essential to restoring passenger confidence.

Passenger confidence remains the biggest test

SpiceJet’s latest operational figures underline the scale of the difficulties confronting the airline. A fleet of around 13 aircraft, a cancellation rate exceeding 20%, on-time performance of just 16.6% and a domestic market share of 0.6% point to a serious challenge.

The complaints over cancellations and refunds add another layer to the crisis, as passengers increasingly need certainty when making travel arrangements. While the airline has previously outlined plans to expand its fleet, travellers will ultimately judge its recovery by the reliability of its services.

For SpiceJet, the priority now is to stabilise operations, improve communication and ensure that passengers affected by disruptions receive appropriate assistance. Until those improvements become visible, rebuilding confidence among travellers and strengthening its position in India’s competitive aviation market will remain difficult.