SpiceJet increases payment to AAI for services availed

New Delhi, Mar 11: Budget carrier SpiceJet, which owes nearly Rs 300 crore to the national airports operator for landing, parking and other charges, has increased the payment for the services to AAI after the airline received Rs 500 crore equity infusion from the new owner.

The airline is now paying Rs 75 lakh per day to the airports operator for availing the services as against its per day billing of about Rs 70 lakh, official sources said here today.

"SpiceJet was earlier paying Rs 50 lakh per day to AAI for the landing, parking and other charges. However, the airline has now started paying Rs 75 lakh to it against its daily billing of about Rs 70 lakh," they said.

Its total outstanding towards Airports Authority of India (AAI) at present stands at Rs 297 crore, they said, adding, "We are expecting a partial payment of these dues from the airline shortly."

The airline has recently cleared dues towards tax payments and employees' salary, besides clearing dues to some of the aircraft leasing companies. Ajay Singh, who acquired the ownership of the no-frills airline from the erstwhile promoter Maran family as part of its revival plan, had late last month pumped in Rs 500 crore in the carrier with one more installment of the same amount expected to come in this month.

The injection of the funds is part of the new owner's Rs 1,500-crore investment plan to revive the airline. Earlier this month, SpiceJet had paid USD 10 million to three lessors towards rentals for six of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The dues cleared were for the period till October. SpiceJet has a fleet of 17 leased Boeing 737-800s and owns 15 Bombardier Q-400s. The airline has also cleared tax dues against Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) payments and service tax as well. Singh, as the owner now, holds 60.31 per cent stake following the exit of the Maran family.

PTI