Airport operator rejects airline’s weather claim, while SpiceJet says its advisory was only a precautionary measure
Kochi: A dispute has emerged between Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) and SpiceJet over flight disruptions and a weather advisory issued for services operating to and from Kochi.
CIAL on Saturday accused the airline of spreading misinformation by attributing the disruption to bad weather in Kochi, while SpiceJet maintained that its advisory was issued purely as a precaution to help passengers plan their journeys.
CIAL Rejects Weather-Related Disruption Claim
In a passenger advisory, CIAL said it had taken note of continuing operational problems affecting SpiceJet’s international services, including flights from Kochi.
The airport operator said the situation had caused considerable inconvenience and uncertainty among passengers.
CIAL alleged that SpiceJet had issued a social media communication attributing the disruption to bad weather at Kochi.
According to CIAL, however, there were no adverse weather conditions at the airport that warranted the disruption cited by the airline.
The airport operator also pointed out that other airlines operating from Kochi had not reported similar weather-related disruptions during the same period.
“No other airline operating from Kochi has reported such disruptions on account of weather conditions during the same period,” CIAL said.
CIAL Says Passenger Complaints Increased
CIAL said passenger grievances related to SpiceJet’s services had continued, but the issues had not been adequately addressed by the airline.
According to the airport operator, the situation had worsened over the past few days, increasing uncertainty for affected passengers.
CIAL said it had made every effort, as a responsible airport operator, to assist passengers and provide the necessary support.
Passengers booked on SpiceJet flights were advised to check their flight status directly with the airline before leaving for the airport.
SpiceJet Defends Weather Advisory
SpiceJet, however, rejected any suggestion that it had announced a cancellation or suspension of its Kochi operations.
In its social media advisory, the airline had stated that bad weather in Kochi could affect arrivals, departures and consequential flights, and asked passengers to check their flight status.
A SpiceJet spokesperson later clarified that the communication was a precautionary advisory intended to help passengers plan their travel and make alternative arrangements if required.
The airline stressed that the advisory only stated that flights “might be affected” and was not an announcement of cancellations or suspension of operations.
Airline Says Kochi Flights Operated Normally
SpiceJet said there were no cancellations of its flights from Kochi and that it operated both its scheduled daily departures to Fujairah and Dubai the previous day.
The airline said such advisories are issued with passenger safety and convenience in mind, giving travellers sufficient information and time to plan their journeys.
“We regret any misunderstanding that may have arisen from the advisory,” the SpiceJet spokesperson said.
The airline also reassured passengers and travel partners that it continued to operate its scheduled services normally, subject to prevailing operational conditions.
Dispute Highlights Conflicting Claims
The disagreement between CIAL and SpiceJet centres on whether weather conditions in Kochi were responsible for the operational uncertainty.
While CIAL maintains that weather conditions were not severe enough to justify the disruption, SpiceJet says its communication was a precautionary warning rather than a cancellation notice.
For passengers, both sides have advised travellers to check the latest flight status before heading to the airport.
The matter comes amid continuing concerns over passenger inconvenience caused by flight disruptions and the importance of clear communication between airlines, airports and travellers.
