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SpiceJet, an Indian airline, reports a larger loss due to a weaker passenger traffic

SpiceJet, the cash-strapped Indian airline, posted a larger quarterly loss on Tuesday. The drop in passenger traffic as well as rising foreign exchange costs were to blame.

The company lost 6.34 billion rupees (roughly $72.1 million) in the third quarter of last year, compared to a loss 4.42 billion rupees one year earlier.

SpiceJet is still struggling to increase its fleet capacity, despite numerous fundraises and agreements with lessors.

The carrier is relying on wet lease arrangements to increase capacity in advance of the holiday season which falls during the third fiscal quarter.

SpiceJet's passenger numbers dropped by 22.5%, to 751,000 passengers during the quarter.

The company's revenues dropped by 13%, to 7.08 billion rupies.

Ajay Singh is the chairman and managing director of the company. He said that while the results show short-term costs associated with fleet revival and expansion they are strategic investments which will begin to yield results in the current quarter.

The eight-fold increase in foreign exchange losses added to the pressure on margins.

The forex losses amounted to 1.88 billion rupees or 26.5% of the total revenue.

(source: Reuters)