DGCA allows SpiceJet to open advance bookings beyond March 31

New Delhi: In a big relief to the budget carrier SpiceJet, aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has allowed the airline to accept advance bookings beyond March 31. The DGCA had earlier restricted SpiceJet to take advance bookings only up to March 31, following financial crisis in the airline, which led to cancellation of its flights in large number and curtail operations in a significant manner.

"SpiceJet is pleased to announce that bookings for its flights are now open for its summer schedule," SpiceJet said in a statement. The summer schedule of the airlines in India commences from March 29 and lasts up to October end. "SpiceJet thanks its customers, employees, partners, and suppliers for their support as it continues on its re-structuring and turnaround plan," it said.

On January 21, government sources had said that the airline, which is in the process of management control change, had requested the DGCA to remove curbs on the forward bookings and allow it to accept bookings for the forthcoming summer schedule.

Last week, SpiceJet board had approved a proposal that promoter Kalanithi Maran would transfer ownership, management and control of the airline to original founder Ajay Singh as part of plans to revive the ailing carrier. The airline also submitted a "scheme of reconstruction and revival for the takeover of ownership, management and control of SpiceJet" to the Ministry for approval.