Why Spicejet Crisis Is A Bad News For The Industry?

The reports of Spicejet’s anticipated demise are swarming around. Many believe that this low-cost carrier too will be a case of ‘history repeats itself’. While general public, who have bought the airline’s tickets during the periodic flash sales are worried about the future of their flights, many others are busy spotting similarities between Vijay Mallaya’s defunct Kingfisher Airline and Kalanithi Maran’s beleaguered carrier Spicejet over cups of coffee.

However, the greater concern here is what would be the repercussions on the entire aviation industry in India if the carrier shuts its shops. “The investors’ confidence is already shaky as far as the aviation industry is concerned,” said aviation expert and editor of aviation journal Bangalore Aviation, Devesh Agarwal.

Another airline going kaput only spells bad news for the industry. After all, there are several stakeholders involved in this sector. Not just the lenders and the creditors but also trade partners such as the aircraft manufacturer, airport operators, caterers, cabin crew companies among others.

“Lenders are the worst hit since they may have to take a significant write-down of the loans that have gone bad. Creditors like oil companies, airport companies, service providers and employees may also have to forego their dues,” said an industry expert on the condition of anonymity.

Besides, the airline has over 5,000 employees on its payroll. Imagine what their plight would be if the airline shuts down. The economy definitely cannot afford to see another bunch of unemployed workforce. According to a news report, the 5,300 employees of the airline are now panicking ever since they have heard of the financial crisis that their company is going through.

"Over 130 pilots have put in their papers. The airline had 33 Boeing 737s some months back and now it has only 20 of those planes flying. Of these also, at least five may be taken back. The airline's daily flights are down from 332 in summer to less than 230 (on paper, at least) now. So, even if it does survive by a miracle, it will not need as many people," said the report quoted a distressed employee.

Apart from pilots and engineers, the junior rung of employees will get badly hit. “Pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers can still land a job in other airlines but it is the junior staff like the ground staff that will be hit hard,” explained Agarwal.

Nevertheless, while these may be some of the implications of an anticipated scenario, however, the ultimate and the biggest victim of another collapse, if there would be one, would be the end customers or the passengers.

The prices will rise exponentially and the industry that is still pegged to be one of the fastest growing markets across the globe, will soon lose out a large chunk of its potential revenues—thus, causing a ripple effect on the entire industry.

Image: Indiatimes.com