SpiceJet's Ajay Singh to dilute stake by over 10% to raise Rs 3,000 crore amid financial struggles

Ajay Singh, promoter of SpiceJet, is likely to dilute his shareholding in the cash-strapped airline by more than 10% stake in an effort to raise about ₹3,000 crore, said people aware of the development.

Singh will remain SpiceJet's single-largest shareholder after the fundraising, which is expected to be completed by September, the people said, adding his stake will likely fall to 30-35%.

The company plans to raise the fresh capital by issuing new shares to investors, expanding its capital base. Singh, along with his family, holds a 47.8 % stake in the budget carrier, of which 38.8% is pledged with lenders.


But, Singh's shareholding will rise by another 9% when he pays about ₹300 crore for converting some warrants into equity shares by the end of this year. The airline has appointed ICICI Securities and JM Financial to manage the fundraising process, the people said.

"While there will be a big dilution of the promoter's shareholding, Singh will still remain the largest shareholder. The same has been sounded out to potential investors," said one of the persons cited above.

While the airline had earlier announced plans to raise about ₹2,250 crore from a group of 64 investors, it could only raise ₹1,060 crore, as one of the primary investors eventually backed out.

SpiceJet desperately needs cash to salvage operations but multiple attempts at fundraising have remained futile so far. It has defaulted on paying vendors, including aircraft lessors, some of whom have filed petitions in court to declare the airline bankrupt.

The airline's market share has dropped below 4% with only 22 operational aircraft, as more than 30 planes stay grounded due to non-availability of engines and spare parts.

Shares of SpiceJet closed nearly 9% lower at ₹56.4 apiece on the BSE Tuesday amid fresh concerns about the airline's financial health.

An airline official said it is hopeful of attracting investors as demand for air travel in India remains robust. "The airline is confident that its low-cost structure along with strong demand from the market will make it possible to raise funds," the official said.

SpiceJet has delayed paying employee salaries after recently defaulting on provident fund contributions. Despite these challenges, the airline claims that 95% of its staff have received their salaries in a "phased manner".

The airline's total liabilities stood at around ₹9,000 crore as of March 31, 2023, including ₹2,700 to its aircraft lessors, according to its latest available annual accounts.

The airline had received shareholder approval to raise ₹2,500 crore through a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) last September, but the process didn't materialise as a new wave of Covid worsened conditions for the aviation industry.

"First, delivery of Boeing 737 Max was stopped, then we faced Covid, which completely stalled growth of the sector, then when demand started to pick up, jet fuel prices were hiked to an unprecedented level. Unlike other airlines, SpiceJet was not getting delivery of aircraft due to stoppage of sale and leaseback income," Singh had said.