Indian airline SpiceJet has delayed salary payments to many of its pilots since March, internal messages seen by Reuters show, as the cash-strapped carrier said it is seeking an emergency loan under a government-backed credit scheme to help stabilise operations.
SpiceJet was India's second-largest domestic carrier by market share in 2019, carrying roughly 15% of passengers, but that has since fallen to a fourth-place share of 3.4%. Its long-standing financial troubles have been worsened by the Middle East conflict, which has pushed up fuel prices and restricted airspace access, pressures that have also hit larger rivals IndiGo and Air India.
