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‘Misinformation’: Cochin airport rejects SpiceJet’s ‘bad weather in Kochi' claim
The authorities said there was no adverse weather in Kochi that could disrupt the flights at the airport.
SpiceJet on Saturday said its flights to and from the Cochin airport in Kerala’s Kochi have been affected due to “bad weather”, prompting a clarification from the airport authorities.
The Cochin airport said in a post on X, denying Spicejet’s claims of bad weather in the city, and called the airline's social media post regarding the same “misinformation”
“CIAL has noted continuing operational issues faced by SpiceJet, affecting its services internationally, including those from Kochi, causing considerable inconvenience and uncertainty to passengers. At a time when the airline is yet to satisfactorily address the concerns of affected passengers, SpiceJet has issued a social media communication spreading misinformation by attributing the disruption to bad weather at Kochi,” the airport’s X handle shared a clarification.
The authorities said there was no adverse weather in Kochi that could disrupt the flights.
“However, there were no adverse weather conditions at Kochi warranting the disruption cited in the communication. It may also be noted that no other airline operating from Kochi has reported such cancellations on account of weather conditions during the same period. Despite the continuing passenger grievances, the issues have not been adequately addressed or rectified by the airline and have continued to worsen over the past few days. CIAL, on its part, as a responsible airport operator, has made maximum efforts to assist the affected passengers and provide necessary support and solace to them. Passengers who have booked SpiceJet flights are therefore advised to recheck their flight status with SpiceJet before proceeding to the airport,” the post further read.
What SpiceJet claimed
SpiceJet had said earlier that its services at the Cochin airport, which included all departures and arrivals, “might be affected” due to “bad weather” in Kochi. The airline requested that passengers check their flight status before coming to the airport.
“#WeatherUpdate: Due to bad weather in Kochi (COK), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights might be affected. Passengers are requested to check their flight status via https://spicejet.com/#status,” the carrier said in a post on X.
This comes as SpiceJet continues to grapple with mounting operational pressures, with its July cancellation rate touching 8.58 per cent and the airline facing an NCLT matter over insolvency proceedings.
SpiceJet escaped immediate insolvency on Wednesday after lessor Aviator ML withdrew its ₹60-crore insolvency plea following a settlement. But seven other lessor petitions remain, keeping the threat of insolvency alive.
