Bangladesh Bars SpiceJet from Airspace Over Unpaid Navigation Charges
With overflight access restricted, affected flights are now taking extended paths, which could lead to higher fuel consumption and increased operating costs if the restriction continues. Overflight rights are vital for airlines to optimise flight time and fuel efficiency, particularly on short-haul eastern sectors
ATT Correspondent 
Bangladesh has barred Indian budget carrier SpiceJet from using its airspace due to unpaid air navigation fees, prompting the airline to reroute several east-bound flights, according to a Times of India report.
According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, aircraft operating on the Kolkata–Guwahati and Kolkata–Imphal routes have been avoiding Bangladeshi airspace and flying longer alternative corridors instead.
With overflight access restricted, affected flights are now taking extended paths, which could lead to higher fuel consumption and increased operating costs if the restriction continues. Overflight rights are vital for airlines to optimise flight time and fuel efficiency, particularly on short-haul eastern sectors.
Industry insiders say even marginal increases in flight time can add pressure on carriers already operating on thin margins.
In a statement, a SpiceJet spokesperson said the airline is in regular communication with the relevant Bangladeshi authorities to resolve the issue.
“We are in regular dialogue with the concerned authorities on operational and procedural matters, including navigation-related charges. These are routine industry matters, and we are working constructively towards an early resolution. Our flight operations remain unaffected, and we continue to operate scheduled services as per regulatory requirements,” the spokesperson said, reports PTI.
Despite the assurance, aviation analysts note that prolonged restrictions could add to the airline’s financial strain.
The development comes at a challenging time for the Indian low-cost carrier. For the quarter ended December 2025, SpiceJet reported a net loss of Rs 269.27 crore, citing elevated expenses and one-time costs.
On the market front, the airline’s shares slipped nearly 1 per cent to Rs 16.81 during afternoon trading on the Bombay.
