2. The origins of SpiceJet trace back to February 1993 when
ModiLuft, one of India's first post-deregulation airlines was
launched by the Indian industrialist S K Modi in technical
partnership with the German air carrier Lufthansa.
The airline started operations within three months of its
incorporation which is a record of its kind.
Airline was able to maintain high standards in flight safety,
ground maintenance and on-time performance with a strong
support from its partner Lufthansa.
Modiluft was the only Airline to achieve an average aircraft
utilisation of a minimum 12 hours per day in Indian Skies.
3. ModiLuft did not last very long specially because the business parity of
the German and Indian partners was not the same and problems arose.
Then the cooperation came to end and ModiLuft acquired Boeing 737-
400 aircraft to replace the 737-200s from Air U K, however the future of
ModiLuft was already sealed and airline called off its operations in 1996.
However, the air-operating certificate (AOC) of ModiLuft did not lapse
and the airline due to lack of funds changed hands and renamed Royal
Airways.
In 2004, management of the airline was taken over by Ajay Singh, who
renamed the company, raised funds and re-started operations. Thus,
SpiceJet was born under the low cost model.
4. Indian media baron Kalanidhi Maran acquired 37.7% in SpiceJet in
June 2010. After completing 5 years of flying, SpiceJet was allowed to
commence international flights by the Airports Authority of India.
9. SpiceJet India's second-biggest budget
airline, posted an unexpected quarterly
profit that raised hopes of a turnaround in
the country's embattled aviation
industry, sending airline stocks sharply
higher.