New Delhi/IBNS: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has placed SpiceJet, for the second time in two years, under "enhanced surveillance" after reports of cancelled flights and financial stress, media reports said.

Acting on reports that the carrier had to cancel flights from Dubai over non-payment of dues, the aviation regulator conducted a special audit earlier this month which revealed "certain deficiencies".

As a result, the DGCA said the airline, "has once again, and with immediate effect, been placed under enhanced surveillance", explaining this means increased spot checks and/or night-time audits with a view to ensure operational safety.

According to Reuters, SpiceJet had to operate multiple empty flights from Dubai as passengers were not allowed, by airport officials there, to check in since the airline had not paid certain fees.

That was reportedly the second such disruption this month.

A SpiceJet spokesperson attributed the cancellations to "operational issues" and said affected passengers were accommodated on subsequent flights, or other airlines, or given a full refund.

All scheduled flights from Dubai are now operating as planned, the company said.

Earlier this month, SpiceJet said it reached a settlement with Mumbai airport over "a minor financial matter," hours after being warned, in a now-deleted social media post, of "temporary disruptions".