Sri Vijaya Puram, November 11: The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), has sought the Civil Aviation Ministry’s intervention over recurring SpiceJet flight suspensions and cancellations to Sri Vijaya Puram, warning that unreliable air connectivity is disrupting tourism, increasing travel costs and leaving travel agents with substantial funds blocked for months.
In a letter dated November 10, 2026, addressed to Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, IATO Chairman Mohammad H. Jadwet called for year-round flight operations, even if airlines reduce frequencies during the lean tourism season. The association said prolonged withdrawal of services, followed by repeated cancellations after their resumption, was affecting passengers and the tourism industry in the islands.
According to IATO, SpiceJet has followed a recurring pattern over several years of discontinuing its operations to Sri Vijaya Puram during the early months of the year and restoring services around October. The association said the same pattern continued in 2026, with frequent cancellations and rescheduling even after flights resumed in October.
The disruptions have created uncertainty for tourists who book flights, hotel accommodation, ferry services and other travel arrangements well in advance. IATO said sudden cancellations force visitors either to abandon their holidays or remain stranded in Sri Vijaya Puram, leading to additional expenses and affecting the islands’ reputation as a reliable tourism destination.
The association has also raised concerns over the airline’s business arrangements with travel agents. It alleged that SpiceJet collects advance payments from agents against blocked seats but subsequently discontinues flights without providing adequate advance notice. As a result, funds belonging to travel agents remain tied up for several months, creating financial difficulties and raising concerns over business practices between airlines and travel agencies.
While acknowledging that airlines may need to adjust flight frequencies according to seasonal demand, IATO argued that reducing services during periods of lower demand should not require a complete withdrawal of operations for several months. It maintained that repeated cancellations following the restoration of services further undermine the reliability of air connectivity.
The association has urged the ministry to intervene with SpiceJet and secure four measures: continuity of year-round operations with reduced off-season frequencies, greater reliability of published schedules, adequate advance notice before suspending services, and prompt refunds or settlements of travel agents’ blocked funds.
Highlighting the islands’ geographical isolation and dependence on air connectivity, IATO said the issue requires intervention to protect the interests of tourists, travel agents and the wider tourism industry. The letter places the airline’s seasonal operating pattern and flight reliability before the Centre as concerns requiring attention.
