SpiceJet on expansion mode, plans flights to Vietnam, Kazakhstan

Budget carrier SpiceJet plans major international expansion on the back of a gradual return of Boeing 737 Max aircraft in its fleet, sources told businessline.

According to sources, the airline plans to start flights on international medium-haul routes connecting India with Kazakhstan and Vietnam.

Speaking to businessline, sources say new destinations will be announced soon as more aircraft return to service.

On its part, the airline did not respond to businessline’s queries.

However, sources said that the expansion plan shows SpiceJet’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and providing travellers with more affordable and convenient flight options.

Recently, the airline announced the introduction of a daily direct flight connecting Delhi and Kathmandu starting from May 10. Currently, SpiceJet operates to destinations like Dubai and Bangkok.

Besides overseas destinations, the airline plans to launch 24 new domestic flights as part of its Summer schedule of 2025.

Notably, SpiceJet is expanding its network by adding three new destinations—Thoothukudi, Porbandar, and Dehradun—while introducing new routes to enhance connectivity.

The airline had earlier said that it will commence operations on these new routes in a phased manner from March 30.

Under the plans, Thoothukudi will be connected to Chennai and Bengaluru, with a daily direct flight to Bengaluru and twice-daily flights to Chennai, while travellers from Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai will get access to Dehradun, with direct flights.

The airline plans to add flights connecting Porbandar with Mumbai (non-stop flight operating twice a week) as well as Ahmedabad-Srinagar and Pune-Varanasi sectors while also reconnecting Bengaluru with Goa and Pune with Chennai.

The network enhancement comes after SpiceJet raised ₹3,000 crore through the Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP).

Furthermore, SpiceJet recently settled several disputes with aircraft lessors. The latest one is with global aircraft engine lessor Willis Lease Finance Corporation, which resulted in a “substantial saving” for the airline.

As part of the agreement, Willis Lease has withdrawn its insolvency case against SpiceJet.

In addition, the airline has renewed its IATA (International Air Transport Association) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, which is a globally-recognised benchmark for operational safety. The successful renewal of the IOSA certification is valid until March 2027.

The IOSA audit, conducted by IATA, is a rigorous, internationally-accepted evaluation of an airline’s operational management and control systems.

Published on April 10, 2025