Travellers start to shun India's SpiceJet after safety lapses

Passengers are starting to avoid SpiceJet after a series of mid-air safety failures, according to a survey, dealing a blow to the cash-strapped airline, which has been been summoned by the authorities to explain the lapses. A survey of more than 21,000 travellers conducted by LocalCircles showed that 44 per cent are currently steering clear of India's third-biggest airline due to safety concerns versus 21 per cent who are avoiding Air India and IndiGo, and 18 per cent for Go First. Some 37 per cent of respondents said they do not avoid any particular airline. Losing passengers over incidents involving technical glitches would be a major setback for SpiceJet, which has relinquished its second-highest market share to Go First. Any fallout could further upset SpiceJet's deteriorating financial health. The airline has suffered losses for the last three fiscal years and its shares have plunged 43 per cent this year, making it the worst airline stock in Asia. SpiceJet said that its flights are "absolutely safe, and the safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft is paramount to us". A SpiceJet flight operating a Boeing 737 Max plane was diverted to Karachi due to an indicator light malfunction on Tuesday (July 5). Later that day, a Q400 jet was forced to make a priority landing in Mumbai after its windshield cracked. Another SpiceJet aircraft from New Delhi on July 2 returned to the Indian capital due to smoke in the cabin.<br/>