SpiceJet requests deferment on payment, but Airports Authority of India unmoved

NEW DELHI: Budget-carrier SpiceJet has sought a deferment of three years on the payment of dues of Rs 211 crore to AAI though sources said that the airport operator is disinclined to entertain the request after the airline received a recent infusion of funds.

The airline has also requested the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to waive the interest against these dues on account of payment of charges towards landing, parking and other support services availed by the carrier.

The dues in question run for a period of 18 months.

AAI, which had bailed out SpiceJet by extending a two-week credit window to the airline during its financial crisis last year after Civil Aviation Ministry's intervention, has this time, however, rejected the plea, sources told here.

A SpiceJet spokesperson could not be contacted for comments.

The airline has already cleared the dues of other creditors such as oil companies and aircraft lessors, among others, after it received Rs 500 crore in investment by its new promoter, Ajay Singh, as part of the first tranche of the Rs 1,500 crore infusion he has lined up for the airline.

"SpiceJet has asked for a three-year moratorium on payment of dues besides a complete waiver on the interest payables. AAI has, however, outrightly rejected the move because the airline is now far more financially stable than the last year," sources said.

AAI's per-day billing to SpiceJet towards landing, parking and other support services currently stands at Rs 78 lakh, sources said, adding, "It has asked the airline to pay an additional Rs 50 lakh per day over and above the daily payment to clear these dues."