SpiceJet pilots halt Q400 flights over unpaid wages amid mounting financial woes
Around 40 SpiceJet Q400 pilots have refused to operate flights until their overdue salaries are paid, adding pressure to an airline already struggling financially.
Approximately forty pilots flying SpiceJet’s Q400 fleet have stopped operating flights, demanding payment of pending wages, according to reports. The Airline Pilots’ Association of India issued a letter of support, offering logistical and consultative help to resolve the dispute. SpiceJet, which now operates just ten aircraft with the majority parked, is under scrutiny by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
The airline’s market share slipped to 1.2% in August 2026, overtaken by Akasa Air, and it recorded a consolidated net loss of ₹261.38 crore for the December 2025 quarter. The civil aviation minister indicated that the DGCA is conducting operational and financial checks, while the government extended a ₹150 crore emergency credit line to aid the carrier. Shares fell modestly following the news.
Why it matters
The pilots' strike highlights SpiceJet's deepening cash crunch, which could disrupt air travel for thousands of passengers.
In this story
