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SpiceJet Q4 net profit up 22% to INR 56.3 crore
Reports 25% growth in operational income against the same quarter last year
To scale up capacity by 80% by adding 60 planes in FY2020

For the Quarter ending March 2019

  • Capacity (in terms of Seat Kilometer) up by 21%
  • Profits grow by 22% despite grounding of MAX aircraft
  • Revenue from operations grows by 25% in seasonally weak quarter
  • Average fare up 11%
  • Registers industry’s highest domestic load factor of 92.58%
  • Higher profit than a traditionally stronger Q3

For the year ending March 2019

  • Reports a net loss of INR 316.1 crore in FY 2019 following a INR 427.5 crore loss in the first two quarters
  • Capacity up by 14%
  • Operating income up by 18%
  • Aircraft fleet at 76 as on March 31, 2019
  • Registers industry’s highest domestic load factor of 93%

Key Highlights

  • Added 25 aircraft in April & May 2019; aircraft fleet stands at 100 as on May 28, 2019. Operates 584 average daily flights.
  • 35 planes to be added to the fleet increasing total capacity for FY2020 by 80%
  • Signs MoU for codeshare partnership with Emirates. SpiceJet and Emirates passengers to enjoy seamless connectivity on each other’s extensive networks
  • For 49 months in a row SpiceJet has flown with the highest loads in India
  • Cargo operations to be enhanced significantly during FY2020

GURUGRAM, May 28, 2019:SpiceJet reported a profit of INR 56.3 crore for the traditionally weak quarter ended March 31st, 2019 as against INR 46.2 crore in the same quarter last year. In comparison to Q3 FY19, the airline managed to generate higher profits despite challenges on account of seasonality and more importantly grounding of its 13 MAX aircraft. The reported quarter profit does not include any form of reimbursements or compensation on the grounded aircraft and for which the Company continues to work with the manufacturer. The airline reported a net loss of INR 316.1 crore in FY 2019.

Operating revenues were at INR 2,531.3 crore for the reported quarter and INR 9113.2 crore for the fiscal 2019. On an EBITDA basis, profit is INR 122.8 crore for the reported quarter and INR 48.4 crore for the fiscal 2019. On an EBITDAR basis, the profit is INR 523.3 crore for the reported quarter and INR 1,345.1 crore for the fiscal 2019.

The year under review posed multiple unprecedented challenges such as the world-wide grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX which led to the overnight grounding of SpiceJet’s MAX fleet. This could have led to huge cancellations and passenger disruptions but the Company swiftly moved by mounting additional frequencies, inducting planes on wet lease and rationalising and optimising the use of its existing fleet. Further, this year saw a 25% increase in aviation turbine fuel prices and 9% depreciation of the Indian rupee that resulted in cost escalations of INR 695 crore and INR 285 crore respectively.

Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet said, “SpiceJet has posted a strong recovery in last two quarters after suffering a loss of INR 427.5 crore in the first two quarters due to steep increase in fuel costs and sudden depreciation of the Rupee. This recovery comes despite the unprecedented challenges we faced during Q4 FY2019 which saw the grounding of as many as 13 of our MAX planes.”

“With a massive fleet expansion this fiscal, a favourable operating environment, a likely return of the B737 MAX in July, significant improvements in yields and prime slots at key airports, we are confident of a strong performance for FY2020.”

Since April 1, 2019, the airline has announced 106 new flights including 73 flights connecting Mumbai, 16 flights connecting Delhi and eight flights connecting Mumbai and Delhi, its fleet size stands at 100 and the Company has hired over a thousand highly trained professionals to chart the next stage of its growth. The Company has robust systems and processes to scale its operations, which was demonstrated as it added 25 airplanes in 30 days.

The airline is eyeing an aggressive expansion plan across both its domestic and international network. As part of its international expansion strategy, SpiceJet has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for interlining and codeshare arrangement with Emirates, one of the world’s largest airlines. While the new partnership will immensely benefit passengers travelling on both airlines, it will significantly boost operating revenues. This will enable SpiceJet passengers from India to enjoy seamless connectivity leveraging Emirates vast network across Europe, Africa, America and the Middle East. Those travelling to India on Emirates will be able to travel to 53 destinations across SpiceJet’s domestic network.

Currently, SpiceJet operates to 53 domestic and nine international destinations. It is the largest regional player in the country with 42 daily UDAN flights and operates to 12 destinations under the regional connectivity scheme providing air connectivity to the remotest corners of the country.

The 2018-19 fiscal, yet again, witnessed the airline’s unyielding commitment towards driving UDAN, and on-boarding six destinations across the country onto the national aviation map including – Adampur, Kanpur, Kishangarh, Pakyong, Lakhimpur and Jharsuguda.

Through SpiceXpress, the dedicated air cargo arm of SpiceJet, the airline also launched its freighter service on the Guwahati–Hong Kong sector and became the first airline to connect North East India with South East Asia through a freighter route. The airline sees huge potential in the North East market and going forward, plans to connect all the seven North Eastern states with Guwahati, thereby building the latter in to a cargo hub for the entire region. Currently the freighter fleet comprises of two Boeing 737NG Freighters and four more are expected to be added during FY2020.

In terms of operational parameters, SpiceJet had the best passenger load factor amongst all airlines in the country during the quarter and the year. The average domestic load factor for the quarter was 92.58% while for fiscal 2019 it was 93%. For 49 months in a row, SpiceJet has flown the highest load factors in the Indian aviation market, a feat unparalleled globally.

Disclaimer

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in aviation sector including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage fluctuations, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on various parameters, our ability to manage international operations, reduced demand for air travel, liability for damages, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability, legal restrictions on raising capital or general economic conditions affecting our industry.

The words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify certain of such forward looking statements. The Company may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

About SpiceJet Ltd

SpiceJet is India’s favourite airline that has made flying affordable for more Indians than ever before. SpiceJet operates 584 average daily flights to 62 destinations, including 53 domestic and 9 international ones. The airline has a fleet of 68 Boeing 737, 30 Bombardier Q-400s and two B737 freighters. SpiceJet offers business class seating - SpiceBiz – on key domestic routes. The majority of the airline’s fleet offers SpiceMax, the most spacious economy class seating in India.

The airline also operates a dedicated air cargo service under the brand name SpiceXpress offering safe, on-time, efficient and seamless cargo connectivity across India and on international routes. SpiceJet is the first Indian airline to offer end-to-end cargo services and the airline’s freighters fleet consists of Boeing 737 aircraft.

SpiceJet’s standing as the country’s favourite airline has been further reinforced by the multiple awards and recognitions which includes the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Award to Ajay Singh, , Global ‘Low-Cost Leadership Award’ conferred to Mr Singh at the Airline Strategy Awards 2018 in London, ‘BML Munjal Awards 2018’ for ‘Business Excellence through Learning and Development’, ‘Best Domestic Airline’ Award at Wings India 2018, ‘EY Entrepreneur of the year 2017 for Business Transformation’ by Ernst & Young, The CAPA Chairman’s Order of Merit for fastest turnaround in FY 2016, 'Asia's Greatest Brands - 2016', ‘Global Asian of the Year Award’ & 'Asia's Greatest CFO 2016' at the AsiaOne Awards held in Singapore, ‘World Travel Leaders Award’ at WTM London, ‘Best Check- in Initiative’ award by Future Travel Experience global awards in Las Vegas, ‘Best Domestic Airline’ award at the 10th ASSOCHAM International Conference & Awards (Civil Aviation & Tourism).

For more information on the release, please contact:
Mr Tushar Srivastava
Head -Corporate Communications & CSR
SpiceJet Limited
+91-98108 14874
tushar.srivastava@spicejet.com
Ms Sudipta Das
Sr. Manager –Corporate Communications
SpiceJet Limited
+91- 9650602489
sudipta.das1@spicejet.com

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