SpiceJet’s Bold Expansion in Winter 2025: 250 Flights Across Major Indian Cities Like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata as IndiGo Faces Growing Operational Challenges – A Sigh of Relief for Flyers

Published on December 8, 2025

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, SpiceJet has announced a major expansion of its operations, capitalizing on the ongoing crisis that has plagued its larger rival IndiGo. The low-cost carrier is aiming to position itself as a stronger contender in India’s competitive airspace, announcing a 14% surge in shares following plans to increase its fleet capacity.

Amid an operational crisis where IndiGo is facing massive cancellations, SpiceJet has revealed its intention to operate 250 daily flights as part of its Winter Schedule 2025, a significant leap from the 125 daily flights it operated during the previous Summer schedule. This expansion is part of SpiceJet’s broader plan to double its capacity and triple its Available Seat Kilometres (ASKM) by the end of 2025, which marks a pivotal shift for the airline.

SpiceJet’s Bold Strategy: 250 Flights a Day Amidst IndiGo’s Woes

As the Indian aviation industry faces turbulence, with over 1000 flights cancelled by IndiGo in the past week, SpiceJet is seizing the opportunity to strengthen its position. By announcing 22 additional flights across key routes, the airline aims to offer a more reliable service to passengers who have been left stranded by the disruptions at IndiGo. As the larger player in the Indian aviation sector continues to struggle, SpiceJet’s rapid expansion has not only enhanced its competitiveness but also lifted investor confidence, with its shares hitting an intraday high of ₹35.50 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

This sudden shift in fortunes is a testament to SpiceJet’s resilience and its ability to adapt quickly in challenging times. The airline’s commitment to increasing its flight capacity is seen as a direct response to IndiGo’s ongoing operational difficulties, which have led to widespread disruptions and passenger inconvenience.

How SpiceJet is Navigating the Aviation Crisis with Wet-Lease Deals

One of the key factors that has allowed SpiceJet to navigate this crisis with relative ease is its heavy reliance on wet-leased aircraft, which make up nearly 50% of its fleet. This strategic move enables SpiceJet to bypass the stricter flight duty regulations imposed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which have crippled many domestic carriers, particularly IndiGo.

Wet-leasing refers to the arrangement where an airline leases an aircraft along with its crew, maintenance, and insurance from another company. This arrangement allows SpiceJet to avoid the DGCA’s Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), which restrict the number of hours pilots can fly, as well as the number of landings they can make in a given week. These restrictions have contributed significantly to crew shortages at IndiGo, exacerbating their operational challenges.

As SpiceJet has leased foreign aircraft with foreign crews, these flights are classified as international operations and are therefore exempt from certain domestic regulations for up to a year. This provides SpiceJet with much-needed flexibility during a period of heightened scrutiny on flight operations.

The Challenges Facing IndiGo and Its Struggle to Recover

IndiGo, which controls almost 60% of India’s domestic air traffic, has not been as fortunate. The airline’s struggles are largely attributed to the strict DGCA regulations that apply to its Indian-based pilots. While the airline has wet-leased aircraft for international routes, its fleet remains heavily reliant on Indian crew members, who are bound by the new flight duty norms. This has left IndiGo vulnerable to the wave of cancellations that began in early December 2025 and have continued to disrupt its operations.

Despite government exemptions for IndiGo to ease the night duty restrictions for pilots until February 2026, the airline’s operations remain severely impacted. As a result, SpiceJet has benefited from a shift in customer demand, as many travelers seek alternatives to IndiGo’s now unreliable service. While SpiceJet continues to build on its growth trajectory, IndiGo’s decline has significantly affected its stock prices, with shares falling by 9.5% on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) as of Friday, December 8.

What Does This Mean for India’s Aviation Landscape?

The ongoing flight cancellations and crew shortages have exposed vulnerabilities in the Indian aviation market. For SpiceJet, this has provided a golden opportunity to enhance its market share and establish itself as a reliable player in an industry traditionally dominated by IndiGo and Air India.

The airline’s aggressive fleet expansion and strategic wet-lease agreements position it well to continue thriving, even as its competitors face setbacks. By significantly increasing its flight capacity and seat availability, SpiceJet is set to make a strong push for market dominance, potentially reshaping the competitive dynamics of India’s aviation sector.

For travelers, the aviation crisis has led to increased uncertainty, but SpiceJet’s expansion offers an alternative that could alleviate some of the stress and inconvenience caused by the ongoing disruptions at IndiGo. With additional flights now available across major routes, passengers can look forward to improved options for travel, particularly in the Winter 2025 season.

Travel Tips for Passengers During the Crisis

• Book Early: Due to the ongoing disruptions at IndiGo, flight availability may be limited. It’s advisable for travelers to book flights well in advance with SpiceJet or other carriers.
• Stay Informed: Monitor the status of your flight regularly, especially if flying with IndiGo. Keep an eye on official notifications for any updates regarding cancellations or delays.
• Consider SpiceJet: Given its increased flight capacity and expanding operations, SpiceJet may offer more reliable alternatives during this turbulent period.
• Check for Compensation: If your IndiGo flight is canceled or delayed, make sure to check your entitlement to compensation under the DGCA guidelines.

Final Thoughts

The Indian aviation market is currently in a state of flux, with IndiGo struggling to recover from its operational challenges, while SpiceJet makes significant strides in expanding its operations. This shift in dynamics is shaping the future of the country’s air travel landscape, offering both opportunities and challenges for passengers and airlines alike.

As SpiceJet continues to increase its flight capacity and utilize wet-leasing to sidestep regulatory hurdles, it is well-positioned to capitalize on IndiGo’s crisis and redefine its place in the Indian aviation industry.