The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has asked troubled budget carrier SpiceJet Ltd to deposit USD 31.5 million by December 31, failing which the airline could be put in the cash-and-carry mode, a senior official said on Tuesday.
SpiceJet has so far given a bank guarantee of 825 million rupees of the total due, the official told reporters in New Delhi. He said the Aviation Ministry would decide the next course of action in case the airline didn't pay by the deadline.
SpiceJet needs urgent funding to continue operations smoothly. It was forced to briefly ground its aircraft this month as suppliers refused to fuel them.