Welcome Aboard

Welcome aboard SpiceJet! Twenty-one years ago, on May 23, 2005, our very first flight took off from Delhi to Ahmedabad with a simple but bold idea, to make flying accessible, affordable and reliable for every Indian. As we celebrate our 21st anniversary this month, that idea has grown into something far larger than we could have imagined. Today, SpiceJet stands as India’s oldest operating private airline, and that is a milestone we carry with quiet pride every single day.

By Ajay Singh, Chairman & Managing DirectorMay 2026 · Issue 199

Ajay Singh, Chairman & Managing Director of SpiceJet, leaning against an aircraft engine — Spice Route, May 2026

DEAR READERS,

Welcome aboard SpiceJet!

Twenty-one years ago, on May 23, 2005, our very first flight took off from Delhi to Ahmedabad with a simple but bold idea, to make flying accessible, affordable and reliable for every Indian. As we celebrate our 21st anniversary this month, that idea has grown into something far larger than we could have imagined. Today, SpiceJet stands as India’s oldest operating private airline, and that is a milestone we carry with quiet pride every single day.

This would not have been possible without the extraordinary spirit of our people, the pilots who command our skies, the cabin crew who make every journey comfortable, and the engineers, airport teams, other operational staff and countless colleagues across our offices who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep us flying. They are the backbone of SpiceJet, turning every challenge into a testament to resilience.

But at the heart of SpiceJet is you, our passengers. You have been our co-pilots on this twenty one-year journey, standing by us through clear skies and heavy clouds alike. Your trust has stayed with us through the highs and the lows, and that means everything.

Our journey, like aviation itself, has had its fair share of turbulence. From the unprecedented disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic to the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX, and more recently, the ripple effects of global conflicts and rising fuel costs. These have been testing times not just for us, but for the entire industry. There were moments when the skies seemed uncertain. But through it all, SpiceJet kept flying. We adapted, we held our ground, and we moved forward, step by step, flight by flight. What has kept us going is a clear sense of purpose. Beyond schedules and sectors, we have always believed in being an airline that serves. Whether it was bringing people home during the Vande Bharat Mission or operating special flights in times of need, our teams have consistently stepped up with a quiet sense of duty. These are moments that define who we are.

Over the past few months, we have been steadily rebuilding – bringing aircraft back into service, strengthening our network on key routes, and focusing on operational reliability. The effort is ongoing, but the direction is clear. We are moving ahead with discipline and optimism, one step at a time.

As we step into our 22nd year, we do so with renewed energy and a deep sense of gratitude. The journey continues, and we look forward to welcoming you onboard many more times.

Thank you for flying with us.

Happy flying.

Jai Hind!

MEMORIES & TRUST

THEINFLIGHTMAGAZINE

21 YEARS OF P ARTNERSHIP,

HERE’S TO MANY MORE MILESTONES TOGETHER.

21 YEARS OF TRUST

COUNTLESS CONNECTIONS

ONE SPICEJET FAMILY

Forever Thankful

HAIERSALUTES PERFORM BIG

P R O U D S P O N S O R O F 8 T H I N D I A N O P E N

CHAMPIONSWHO SILENTLY

PA R A AT H L E T I C S C H A M P I O N S H I P 2 0 2 6

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NKN MEDIA INTERNATIONAL OFFICES UAE

Vol. No. 19 | Issue 199 | May 2026

PUBLISHER

NKN Media Group CEO Abdul Majid Khan Editor Florina Soren Head Office | NKN Media Dubai Media City Building 6 - 1st Floor - Office 109 King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St - Al Sufouh - Al Sufouh 2 - Dubai Tel: +971 52 219 3009, Email: info@nknmedia.in Advertising:

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Content contributions:

editor@nknmedia.in VP - Sales & Marketing Shakil Siraj Naviwala Phone: +971 52 822 8316 CRO Akhlaq Mallick Phone: +91 9867073977 India Office | NKN Media Noida | Regus Suite # 1614, World Trade Tower, Tower B, 16th Floor, Sector 16, Noida, UP - 201301 I Phone: +91 8982339682 Mumbai | Springboard 91 - 0.4 Gate No 2B, Godrej & Boyce Industry Estate, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Vikhroli West, Mumbai, Maharashtra - 400079 I Phone: +91 9819244603 Chennai | Senate Space, W-126, 3rd Floor, 3rd Avenue, Anna Nagar, Above Shri Gowrikrishnaa Hotel, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - 600040 I Phone: +91 9884317666

| GM -

Asad Hussain Dharsi NKN MEDIA FZ L.L.C, - Dubai Media City Building 6 1st floor - Office 109. Phone: +971 56 386 2110 Singapore | NKN MEDIA PTE. LTD, 3 Shenton Way #07-03 Shenton House (068805). Phone: +65 9008 0571 London | NKN MEDIA UK LIMITED, 25 Tarry way, Boughton, Northampton, England, NN28GP. Phone: + 44 7424 491361 Sri Lanka | NKN MEDIA (PVT) LTD, Paramount Tower, Level 02-05, No:192 9th lane, Nawala Road, Kotte. Phone: +971 522193009 ’ magazine is published by for exclusive circulation on commercial flights operated by SpiceJet.All articles, advertisement content,images and photographs published herein are created by the Publisher and/or contributor at their own discretion and do not necessarily represent the views of SpiceJet. All rights, title and interest (including intellectual property rights) in and to the materials shall vest either with the Publisher or any contributor (including SpiceJet, in certain cases) of such materials.The Publisher is solely liable for any claims for breach of intellectual property rights by any third party in relation to materials appearing in the SpiceRoute magazine (except such materials and content which have been created by SpiceJet, in which case SpiceJet or its service providers shall be liable for such claims). SpiceJet shall bear no liability for any article, content, advertisement, advertorial, image or photograph appearing in any issue of this magazine including any content which is communal, indecent, gender discriminatory, caste-creed discriminatory, racist, defamatory or libelous to any person, organisation, etc., except in case of content which has been created by SpiceJet. All materias are strictly copyrighted and all rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission of the copyright holder, Publisher and SpiceJet. All articles marked as ‘In Focus’ in the magazine are advertorials/advertising support.

INSIDE THE 1XL PLATFORM

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That typically happens when scale outpaces structure.

In our case, the structure is defined first.

Every company enters the platform with clear position, whether as an owned entity, a partnership, or an investment. That clarity avoids overlap and confusion. At the same time, governance remains centralised at holding level, while each business retains its own operating identity. So growth doesnʼt create complexity; it builds within a defined framework, which keeps the platform coherent as it expands.

A long-term mindset. This is not about single return event.

It about participating in a platform that grows over time through multiple businesses.

To build where businesses, founders, and capital come together structured way.

When that alignment happens, growth becomes more sustainable and scalable.

Dubai is a natural meeting point for global business.

gives us access to diverse markets, capital, and opportunities, all from one location. Furthermore, Dubai offers a unique combination of stability, vision, and execution.

proactive approach, especially times global uncertainty, creates a level of confidence that is critical for long-term business planning. What stands out is not just the infrastructure, but mindset.

Policies are designed to enable attract and support entrepreneurship. From ease of doing business to regulatory clarity, the ecosystem is built to facilitate expansion. For a platform like 1XL, which brings together businesses investments across geographies, Dubai provides both a strategic location forward-looking environment that supports scale.

Because concentration creates dependency. A platform approach allows us to spread participation across multiple businesses.

Instead relying on single outcome, we that allows growth to come from different directions.

comes down how we participate. Where long-term value needs to be built, we pursue full ownership. Where strong leadership exists, form strategic equity partnerships.

Where opportunity is primarily financial, we invest. The structure is flexible, guided by one principle aligning participation long-term value potential.

approach a different kind exposure.

Ownership gives control, partnerships give collaboration, and investments give reach. When you combine all three, you create a more balanced and resilient structure.

more than a company. It is a holding structure that brings together multiple businesses. The idea is to create a platform where different companies operate under umbrella while remaining independent.

Scale without structure creates confusion. That is why the platform is designed with clear layers. Every company fits into a defined category, and that clarity allows grow without losing direction.

company operates with its own leadership and direction. The holding structure provides alignment at a higher level, but operational identity remains with the company.

you to participate multiple businesses through a single structured platform, rather than being exposed to just one company. The idea of not putting all your eggs basket applies strongly here.

A platform designed to bring one structured opportunity.

depends the nature Some businesses are better suited for full ownership, some for strategic for pure investment.

flexible, but always aligned to long-term value.

This is more than a journey. It’s companionship built over time.

From our very first flight to today, this journey has never been ours alone. It has been shaped by passengers like you who chose to fly with us, stood by us and grew with us. Through changing skies and evolving times, your trust has been our greatest strength - guiding us forward, steadying us through challenges and celebrating every milestone with us. For 21 years, we haven’t just connected destinations - we’ve shared moments, memories and milestones with millions of travellers.

Thank you for flying with us. Thank you for staying with us.

21 years. Countless journeys. One constant - you.