Delhi HC rejects plea to stop SpiceJet flights after seven mishaps

In a relief to SpiceJet, the Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a plea seeking to cancel its flights in the wake of seven mishaps in the last two months, highlighting that the Aviation Act in itself is good enough to examine this issue.

“The Aviation Act is a robust mechanism in respect to the aviation industry to address the issue. The airlines cannot be told not to operate based on this public interest litigation (PIL),” a bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad, said.

The petition was filed by advocate Rahul Bhardwaj, seeking directions to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and others to form a fast-track body to consider stopping the SpiceJet flights until all security measures were followed. Referring to three mishaps in May, two in June, and two in July, the PIL said the lives of people were at risk due to poor management of the airline.

The issue of non-payment of salary was also highlighted in the plea.

After considering the aforementioned points, the HC said the aviation act makes the rules on safety, flying, registration, and marking of aircraft, underscoring that the DGCA is the competent authority to look into such issues.

“The DGCA is free to take action. In fact, it is quite prompt in taking action. Some show cause notices have already been issued against some flights,” it added.

Last year, the DGCA in its audit, revealed that SpiceJet was facing a fund crunch and that its maintenance procedures were concerning.

On July 6 this year, the aviation regulator issued a show cause notice to the airline, following eight incidents of technical malfunction in its aircraft since June 19. It said the budget carrier had "failed" to establish safe, efficient, and reliable air services.