Are SpiceJet pilots being paid on time?

Internal messages seen by Reuters show that SpiceJet has delayed pay to many pilots since March 2026; the airline had 375 pilots in March and acknowledged payment delays. According to a senior management source quoted by ETV Bharat, in June 2026 March salaries had been released only for staff earning up to Rs 51,000. SpiceJet itself told Reuters that a majority of employees had already been paid for March. Reuters adds that SpiceJet has deferred staff pay during periods of financial trouble dating back to at least 2014.23

What happened in 2024?

In September 2024, after raising Rs 3,000 crore through a share placement, SpiceJet paid salaries for July and August and the pending June salaries. It had admitted not depositing around Rs 220 crore in tax deducted from staff salaries between April 2020 and August 2023. HR Katha reported that the last provident fund deposit was made in January 2022 for 11,581 employees.45

How have pilots responded?

In a letter dated 9 October 2026, ALPA India said it stood with the Q400 pilots and would offer moral, logistical, professional and consultative support. Its president, Sam Thomas, said pilots in India often keep flying despite financial stress because leaving can affect their flying hours and licence requirements.13