Bangladesh bars SpiceJet from using its airspace over pending dues

Bangladesh has barred budget carrier SpiceJet from using its airspace over pending dues, sources said on Thursday, forcing the airline to reroute some services and take longer flight paths.

According to sources, the restriction was imposed due to non-payment of outstanding charges, though specific details about the nature of the dues were not immediately available. An email sent to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) seeking comment did not receive an immediate response.

With access to Bangladeshi airspace suspended, SpiceJet flights from Kolkata to destinations such as Guwahati and Imphal are operating on longer routes. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 on Thursday showed these services avoiding Bangladeshi airspace.

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Responding to queries, a SpiceJet spokesperson said the airline was in regular dialogue with the relevant authorities regarding operational and procedural matters, including navigation-related charges. The spokesperson described the issue as routine within the industry and said efforts were under way to resolve it at the earliest.

The airline maintained that its flight operations remain unaffected and that scheduled services are continuing in accordance with regulatory requirements.

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In afternoon trading on the BSE, shares of SpiceJet were down nearly 1 per cent at Rs 16.81 apiece.

Last week, the carrier reported a loss of Rs 269.27 crore for the quarter ended December 2025, citing higher costs and one-off expenses that weighed on its financial performance.

(PTI)