Cochin International Airport has rejected SpiceJet's claim that bad weather in Kochi was responsible for disruptions to its flights, describing the airline's social media communication as "misinformation". The airport authorities said there were no adverse weather conditions at Kochi that could have warranted the cancellations or disruptions cited by the airline, and advised passengers travelling on SpiceJet flights to check their status before leaving for the airport.SpiceJet on Saturday said its flights to and from Cochin airport had been affected by "bad weather".

The statement prompted a response from Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), which disputed the explanation and said the weather conditions at the airport were not severe enough to disrupt flight operations. The disagreement has added to concerns among passengers facing uncertainty over SpiceJet services operating from Kochi. In a post on X, CIAL said it had observed continuing operational issues affecting SpiceJet services, including international flights and those operating from Kochi. The airport authority said these disruptions had caused "considerable inconvenience and uncertainty" for passengers.

It further criticised the airline for attributing the latest disruption to weather conditions at Kochi while, according to the airport, the underlying passenger concerns had not been adequately addressed. CIAL specifically said there were no adverse weather conditions at Kochi that warranted the disruption described in SpiceJet's communication. The airport also pointed out that no other airline operating from Kochi had reported cancellations during the same period on account of weather. The comparison was cited by the airport as further evidence that weather conditions were not responsible for the disruption affecting SpiceJet's services.

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The airport authority also raised broader concerns about the airline's recent operations. CIAL said SpiceJet had been facing continuing operational issues affecting its services internationally, including flights from Kochi, and alleged that the situation had continued to worsen over the past few days. The airport said the airline had not adequately addressed or rectified the concerns raised by affected passengers. CIAL said it had made maximum efforts, in its capacity as the airport operator, to assist passengers affected by the disruptions and provide them with necessary support. The authority said it was continuing to support passengers dealing with the uncertainty surrounding their flights.

However, it placed the responsibility for addressing the airline's operational issues on SpiceJet. The airport's clarification comes amid complaints from passengers who have faced disruptions to their travel plans. Flight cancellations or changes can leave passengers dealing with missed connections, altered itineraries and uncertainty over when they will be able to travel. CIAL therefore advised passengers holding SpiceJet bookings not to rely solely on general information and instead verify their individual flight status directly with the airline. The disagreement between the airline and airport authorities leaves passengers caught between conflicting explanations for the disruptions. While SpiceJet attributed the affected services to bad weather in Kochi, CIAL has explicitly rejected that explanation and said the conditions at the airport were not adverse enough to warrant the disruption.

The airport's statement also indicates that operational problems involving SpiceJet have been continuing beyond the latest weather-related claim. Passengers scheduled to travel from Kochi on SpiceJet have consequently been advised to recheck their flight status before proceeding to the airport. The latest exchange also puts renewed attention on the airline's operational reliability and its communication with passengers during disruptions. CIAL has maintained that it will continue assisting affected travellers, while the responsibility for resolving the airline's operational difficulties remains with SpiceJet.

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