1 week ago
CIAL and SpiceJet Trade Claims Over Kochi Weather Disruptions
CIAL, which runs Kochi airport, said the weather was not bad enough to disrupt SpiceJet flights.
It accused SpiceJet of giving passengers the wrong explanation for the disruption.
SpiceJet said its message was only a warning so travelers could plan ahead.
The airline said it did not announce cancellations or suspend its Kochi services.
It also said no SpiceJet flights from Kochi were cancelled.
SpiceJet said it operated its scheduled flights to Fujairah and Dubai the day before.
CIAL said SpiceJet had separate operational problems that were troubling passengers.
In a different matter, a tribunal was unhappy that SpiceJet reported a settlement at the last minute.
The tribunal ordered SpiceJet and Aviator ML to each pay ₹7.5 lakh to a government relief fund.
CIAL said Kochi weather was not adverse enough to justify SpiceJet disruptions and accused the airline of spreading misinformation.
SpiceJet said its weather advisory was precautionary, not a cancellation notice, and that no Kochi flights were cancelled.
SpiceJet said it operated scheduled daily flights to Fujairah and Dubai the previous day.
CIAL said SpiceJet’s ongoing operational issues had caused passenger inconvenience and worsened over recent days.
The National Company Law Tribunal ordered SpiceJet and Aviator ML to each pay ₹7.5 lakh after a late settlement notice in eight insolvency petitions.
- Who
- Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), SpiceJet, the National Company Law Tribunal, and Aviator ML.
- What
- CIAL and SpiceJet disputed whether weather justified a SpiceJet advisory about possible Kochi flight disruptions; separately, the tribunal imposed costs on SpiceJet and Aviator ML.
- Where
- Kochi, including Cochin International Airport, and the National Company Law Tribunal.
- When
- The advisory and CIAL’s response were reported on August 22, 2026; the article was published August 23, 2026. The tribunal ordered payment within seven days of its oral order.
- Why
- SpiceJet said the advisory reflected prevailing weather conditions and was intended as a precaution, while CIAL said there was no adverse weather and attributed the problems to the airline’s operational issues. The tribunal imposed costs because the settlement was disclosed when its order was due to be pronounced.
CIAL’s account
SpiceJet’s account
Cause of possible disruptions
CIAL’s account
CIAL said Kochi weather was not adverse enough to warrant SpiceJet’s reported disruptions and accused the airline of spreading misinformation.
SpiceJet’s account
SpiceJet said prevailing weather conditions justified a precautionary warning that flights might be affected.
Nature of the advisory
CIAL’s account
CIAL said the airline had attributed disruption to weather despite no other Kochi airline reporting similar weather-related problems during the same period.
SpiceJet’s account
SpiceJet said the message did not announce cancellations or suspended operations and was intended to help passengers plan.
Underlying operational problems
CIAL’s account
CIAL said ongoing SpiceJet operational issues, including those affecting international services, had caused passenger uncertainty and worsened over recent days.
SpiceJet’s account
SpiceJet said it continued to operate scheduled services normally, subject to prevailing operational conditions, and cited its Fujairah and Dubai flights.
Key facts
- Airport operator
- Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL)
- SpiceJet advisory
- It said bad weather in Kochi might affect departures, arrivals, and consequential flights.
- CIAL’s assessment
- CIAL said there were no adverse weather conditions warranting the cited disruption.
- SpiceJet’s clarification
- The airline said the advisory was precautionary, not an announcement of cancellation or suspension.
- Reported Kochi operations
- SpiceJet said no Kochi flights were cancelled and that it operated scheduled daily services to Fujairah and Dubai the previous day.
- Tribunal payment
- SpiceJet and Aviator ML were each ordered to pay ₹7.5 lakh.
- Payment destination and deadline
- The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, within seven days of the oral order.
Quotes
Cochin International Airport Limited
Operator of Cochin International Airport responding to SpiceJet’s weather explanation
“The advisory clearly stated that flights might be affected and was not an announcement of any cancellation or suspension of operations. There were no cancellations of SpiceJet flights from Kochi, and the airline operated both its scheduled daily departures to Fujairah and Dubai yesterday.”
thehindubusinessline.com
“We regret any misunderstanding that may have arisen from the advisory and reassure our passengers and travel partners that SpiceJet continues to operate its scheduled services normally, subject to prevailing operational conditions.”
thehindubusinessline.com
National Company Law Tribunal bench
Tribunal bench criticizing SpiceJet’s late settlement disclosure
“It is a fraud played with the bench.”
livemint.com
Sources
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