Spicejet posts highest annual loss in its history of Rs. 1,003 crore

May 19, 2014 4 Comments 268 Views

Spicejet Quarterly results fiscal financial year 2013-2014Gurgaon-based budget carrier SpiceJet Ltd., announced an annual loss of Rs. 1,003 crore for fiscal year ending on March 31, 2014. This is the biggest loss in the carrier’s history and represents a five fold increase compared to Rs. 191 crore loss reported last year. Loss for the fourth quarter was Rs. 321 crore up from a loss of Rs. 186 crore for the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year.

The airline attributed a sharp increase in the Rupee US Dollar exchange rate, a slowing economy, and an excessive capacity addition by the airline industry in India which contributed to soft demand.

A six percent growth in passenger numbers was outstripped by capacity growth of 16 percent measure in available seat-kilometres, and increased departures of 11%. While the airline grew average yield per passenger five percent to Rs. 4,253 and revenues by 12 percent from Rs. 5,699 crore to Rs. 6,350 crore, expenses grew twice at 24 percent from Rs. 5,893 crore to to 7,303 crore.

Spicejet stock price. Click for large view.
The airline called the fiscal year “perhaps the most challenging period in Indian aviation history”. For the last quarter which is the highest demand quarter in the airline year, unit revenue (RASK or revenue per available seat kilometre) increased five percent, but unit costs (CASK or costs per available seat kilometre) increased 12 percent when compared to a year ago.

The airline is reportedly shopping around for a $100 million funds infusion as its cash flow is reportedly running on fumes. Sources say one of the reasons the airline is running promotions with regularity is to bring in cash now to meet its aircraft lease rental payments which are behind schedule. An airline bringing in cash for current expenses by selling seats on future flights is akin to animals devouring their young to survive. No matter how rosy a picture the airline paints, with the impending entry of AirAsia and Tata-SIA airline the future for SpiceJet is very bleak.

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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4 comments

  1. Xing Honey
    May 19, 2014 at 19:36

    Based on the Routes proposed and line locations announced, Spicejet will be the worst affected by Air Asia. Tata managed to influence Tata-SIA and Air Asia to have less route overlap at least in the first 4 years. So they will be competing with others, but not with each other.

  2. Vik
    May 26, 2014 at 21:20

    Hi Devesh, it’s a commonly accepted fact now that the Indian aviation industry has far too much capacity, which has driven down prices. However, isn’t this a simple fix? Why don’t the Indian airlines as a collective whole just sell their unnecessary planes? This would be a quick way to drive prices up by bringing down supply. Why don’t Indian airlines just do it?

    • Shanky
      May 27, 2014 at 00:03

      Hi Vik, Most airlines in our country( & also elsewhere) followed “herd mentality” when it came to discount fares. Selling planes and increasing fares will not do the trick in India. I AC berths will just fill up. Airlines need to deploy the right mix with International revenue routes + domestic connections. Some discipline should be in place. I think Indigo- is a fairly decent model.

    • Frank Wood
      May 27, 2014 at 20:17

      May be India needs its own aircraft leasing company. China does coordinate its carrier’s purchases.

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