SpiceJet is facing fresh trouble as Bangladesh has stopped the airline from using its airspace starting February 19, 2026. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) took this step because the airline has not cleared its pending dues for overflight charges. This ban means that SpiceJet flights, especially those connecting Kolkata to Northeast India, can no longer fly directly over Bangladesh and must take a longer detour to reach their destinations.
Why did Bangladesh stop SpiceJet flights?
The main reason for this restriction is the non-payment of air navigation and overflight fees. According to aviation rules, airlines must pay a fee to use another country’s airspace and air traffic services. For SpiceJet’s Boeing 737 aircraft, this charge is roughly $300 per flight. Reports indicate that the airline has not paid these charges for more than six months. The authorities in Bangladesh are reportedly seeking both the overdue amount and interest on the delayed payments before lifting the ban.
How does this affect passengers and the airline?
This development directly impacts travelers and the airline’s operations in several ways:
- Longer Travel Time: Flights from Kolkata to cities like Guwahati, Imphal, and Agartala will now take about 30 minutes longer as they have to fly around the Bangladeshi border.
- Increased Fuel Costs: The detour forces planes to fly extra miles, leading to higher fuel consumption which adds to the financial burden of the airline.
- Stock Impact: Following this news, SpiceJet shares saw a dip of nearly 1% on the BSE, reflecting market concern over the airline’s finances.
What is the airline saying about the situation?
Despite the ban, SpiceJet has assured that its flight schedule remains active. A spokesperson for the airline described the situation as a “routine industry issue” and stated that they are in regular talks with the relevant authorities to resolve the matter soon. This issue adds to the financial challenges for the carrier, which recently reported a net loss of ₹269.27 crore for the quarter ending December 2025 and has faced similar disputes with other vendors in the past.
