SpiceJet has been delaying salary payments for a section of its employees, adding to concerns over the airline’s financial health.

According to sources, staff earning up to INR 55,000 per month have received their August salaries, but those drawing higher pay, mainly assistant managers and above are facing delays of 10–15 days. “SpiceJet has once again started postponing salary payments. While junior staff are being paid on time, senior-level employees are experiencing delays,” the source said. The airline has not responded to queries on the matter.

SpiceJet, based in Gurugram, had 6,484 employees as of FY25, including 4,894 permanent staff, according to its annual report. Interestingly, the report also revealed that during FY25, the company extended an interest-free advance of INR 32 crore to its Chairman and Managing Director, Ajay Singh, for a five-year term. The amount was later adjusted against Singh’s salary for April and May 2025, and the company said the advance “was not prejudicial to its interests.”

The airline’s financial stress is evident. SpiceJet posted a consolidated net loss of INR 238 crore in the April–June quarter of FY26. Employee benefit expenses also fell sharply in FY25, dropping to INR 658.61 crore from INR820.86 crore the previous year.

At the same time, SpiceJet reported average salary increases of 6.21% for non-managerial staff and 13.5% for managerial employees in FY25. The overall median remuneration, however, rose by just 2.24%.

Operational challenges continue as well. By July last year, only 18 of its 56 aircraft were flying, with 38 grounded. In September, the airline raised INR 3,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP), pledging to use the funds to clear employee dues, reactivate grounded planes, acquire new aircraft, and expand into new markets.

Despite these steps, the repeated delays in salary payments have cast a shadow over employee morale and raised questions about the carrier’s ability to manage its workforce while pushing ahead with growth plans.