Roughly 40 SpiceJet pilots operating the carrier’s Q400 fleet have refused to fly until outstanding salary dues are paid, according to a PTI report citing sources. ALPA India is backing the move.
In an October 9 letter to its members and the broader civil aviation community, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India said it “stands firmly in solidarity with these pilots” and pledged full moral, logistical, professional, and consultative support. The association said it had been informed the pilots were taking what it characterized as a principled stand in defense of their legitimate rights, professional dignity, and aviation safety standards.
ALPA India also cited reports of unpaid vendors declining to provide essential aircraft-related services, compounding already delayed salaries and outstanding employee benefits. The organization noted the Q400 pilots had been operating under considerable stress arising from persistent financial and operational challenges.
SpiceJet did not comment on the refusal. Further details on the specific amounts owed or the duration of the arrears were not immediately available.
The action comes during a prolonged period of financial and operational strain at the budget carrier. According to fleet tracking site planespotters.net, SpiceJet is currently operating 10 aircraft — including two Q400s — while 37 planes sit parked. India’s aviation regulator, the DGCA, has been closely monitoring the airline amid mounting concerns over its operations.
Salary disbursal problems at SpiceJet reportedly stretch back to at least April. With only two Q400s in active service and their pilots now grounded by their own refusal to fly, the practical effect on Q400 operations is immediate.
