India-Maldives row: SpiceJet to soon start flights to Lakshadweep

SpiceJet Chief Ajay Singh announced on Wednesday the airline will soon launch flights to Lakshadweep and Ayodhya, emphasising that the recent fund infusion would contribute to strengthening the airline. Speaking at the annual general meeting with shareholders, Singh mentioned the deployment of a significant portion of the Rs 2,250 crore funds to facilitate the growth of the airline. The announcement about flights to Lakshadweep comes amid an ongoing diplomatic row between India and the Maldives, triggered by derogatory comments from some Maldivian deputy ministers against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his visit to Lakshadweep. As on January 7, SpiceJet had 39 aircraft in operations while 26 were on the ground, as per data available on the fleet tracking website Planespotter. Singh told shareholders on Wednesday that the airline has exclusive rights under the government’s regional connectivity scheme for Lakshadweep, and will soon launch its air services to the union territory. Subsequently, there have been calls to boycott the Maldives, which had emerged as a hot destination for Indian leisure travellers post the 2019 pandemic, by some industry bodies as well as travel booking platforms. Meanwhile, Singh, at the annual general meeting, said the latest fund infusion will lead to SpiceJet becoming a stronger and more resilient airline in the country as well as open market potential and opportunities for the company. Further, the fresh capital infusion will help bring its grounded aircraft back into operations, he added. Amid reports that its minority equity partner and global aircraft lessor Carlyle Aviation Partners had evinced interest in acquiring SpiceJet and its cargo arm SpiceXpress, sources in the know said the airline is strongly backed by Carlyle. The entity is taking a keen interest in the airline and SpiceXpress, they added. Last year, Carlyle Aviation Partners acquired a 7.03 per cent stake in SpiceJet. With inputs from PTI.