New Delhi: Low-cost airline SpiceJet has sent 80 pilots on leave for three months without pay (LWP). SpiceJet is currently facing a liquidity crunch. According to the company’s policy, no employee is fired, which is why he has taken this decision. The company said it has sufficient number of pilots for operation even after sending some pilots on leave without pay.
Airline running in loss for 4 years
Sources said the airline has sent around forty B737 aircraft pilots and around forty Q400 aircraft pilots on leave without pay for three months. The airline has been running in losses for the last 4 years. SpiceJet has incurred a net loss of Rs 316 crore, Rs 934 crore, Rs 998 crore and Rs 1,725 crore in FY19, FY20, FY21 and FY22 respectively.
Loss of Rs 784 crore in June quarter
SpiceJet reported a loss of Rs 784 crore for the quarter ended June 30 as against a loss of Rs 731 crore in the year-ago period. The company had posted a loss of Rs 485 crore in the quarter ended March. Also it is currently operating less than 50 per cent of the flights, while the airline has 90 aircraft in its fleet. At present, about 50 aircraft are being operated.