Volume IV, Issue III, March 2015 IJLTEMAS ISSN 2278 - 2540

A Study on Working Capital Management of

Aviation Industry with Specific Reference to Spicejet
Airlines
Varun Kesavan
Assistant Professor, Guruvayurappan Institute of Management, Coimbatore

Abstract: A well designed and implemented working capital product (GDP). The Government plans to invest US$ 12.1
management provides significant contribution to a firm’s billion in the airport sector during the 12th Five-Year Plan
profitability and helps to maintain liquidity powers. The period (of this US$ 9.3 billion is expected to come from
purpose of this study is to assess working capital adequacy and India’s private sector) towards construction of new, low-
its impact on profitability; and to investigate the relationship
cost airports and development of existing ones.
between profitability and liquidity of firms. Working capital
refers to the firm’s investment in short term assets. The
management of working capital is important to the financial (according to, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of
health of business of all sizes. The amounts invested in working India.) India would be the third largest aviation market by
capital are often high in proportion to the total assets 2020. The foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in air
employed and so it is vital that these amounts are used in an transport (including air freight) during April 2000 to March
efficient way. The management of working capital affects the 2014 stood at US$ 495.24 million, according to data with
liquidity and the profitability of the corporate firm and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
consequently it’s net worth (Smith, 1980). Working capital
management therefore aims at maintaining a balance between
liquidity and profitability for conducting day to day operations
A. Objectives of Study
of the business concern. Inefficient working capital
management not only reduces the profitability of business but
also ultimately lead to financial crises, Chowdhury and Amin  To study the efficiency of working capital management
(2007). The study aims to provide empirical evidence about of the company
the effects in current assets and current liabilities of Spicejet
Airlines, Limited.  To analyze the working capital trends in the company

Keywords: Working Capital, Liquidity Ratio, Short Term  To study the efficiency of cash, and receivables
Liquidity Position, Current Ratio, Acid Test Ratio Cash Ratio, management of the company
Current Liabilities and Current Assets
 To understand and analyze the working capital position
I. INTRODUCTION of Spicejet Ltd. from the period 2009-2014.

 To measure the overall financial position of the

T he Indian civil aviation industry is among the top 10
globally with a size of around US$ 16 billion,
according to a recent KPMG report. The aviation industry
organization with the help of ratio analysis.

presently supports about 0.5 per cent of the India’s GDP.

This sector caters to about 150 million passengers daily, II. PERIOD OF THE STUDY
with the potential to grow further. By 2020, traffic at
airports in India is anticipated to reach 450 million The period taken for the study is from year 2009 – 2014.

During the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007–2012) four III. METHODOLOGY

international airport projects were completed through
public–private partnership (PPP) mode; and also five Indian The data’s is purely based on secondary data, and it source
carriers began to function on international routes. Air is from the company website.
passenger traffic has also been steadily increasing, thanks to
better lifestyles and overall economic development. Hence 1. Statement of working capital management.
the aviation sector at present is going through a steady 2. Ratio analysis.
period of growth
The above mentioned methods are used to analyze the
The aviation sector today supports 56.6 million jobs and financial statements of the company.
produces over US$ 2.2 trillion of the global gross domestic

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Volume IV, Issue III, March 2015 IJLTEMAS ISSN 2278 - 2540
IV. REVIEWS OF LITERATURE industries for the year 1961 and found the relationship
between the level of working capital and the rate of return to
Sagan in his paper (1955), perhaps the first theoretical paper be negative.
on the theory of working capital management, emphasized
the need for management of working capital accounts and Weston and Brigham (1972) further extended the second
warned that it could vitally affect the health of the company. proposition suggested by Walker by dividing debt into long-
He realized the need to build up a theory of working capital term debt and short-term debt. They suggested that short-
management. He discussed mainly the role and functions of term debt should be used in place of long-term debt
money manager inefficient working capital management. whenever their use would lower the average cost of capital
Sagan pointed out that money manager’s operations were to the firm. They suggested that a business would hold
primarily in the area of cash flows generated in the course short-term marketable securities only if there were excess
of business transactions. However, money manager must be funds after meeting short-term debt obligations. They
familiar with what is being done with the control of further suggested that current assets holding should be
inventories, receivables and payables because all these expanded to the point where marginal returns on increase in
accounts affect cash position. Thus, Sagan concentrated these assets would just equal the cost of capital required to
mainly on cash component of working capital. Sagan finance such increases.
indicated that the task of money manager was to provide
funds as and when needed and to invest temporarily surplus Lambrix and Singhvi (1979)adopting the working capital
funds as profitably as possible in view of his particular cycle approach to the working capital management, also
requirements of safety and liquidity of funds by examining suggested that investment in working capital could be
the risk and return of various investment opportunities. He optimized and cash flows could be improved by reducing
suggested that money manager should take his decisions on the time frame of the physical flow from receipt of raw
the basis of cash budget and total current assets position material to shipment of 53 finished goods, i.e. inventory
rather than on the basis of traditional working capital ratios. management, and by improving the terms on which firm
This is important because efficient money manager can sells goods as well as receipt of cash. However, the further
avoid borrowing from outside even when his net working suggested that working capital investment could be
capital position is low. The study pointed out that there was optimized also (1) by improving the terms on which firms
a need to improve the collection of funds but it remained bought goods i.e. creditors and payment of cash, and (2) by
silent about the method of doing it. Moreover, this study is eliminating the administrative delays i.e. the deficiencies of
descriptive without any empirical support. paper-work flow which tended to extend the time-frame of
the movement of goods and cash.
Goodwin (1948) assumed that firms attempted only a partial
adjustment of the discrepancy between the desired stocks as Copeland and Khoury (1980) applied CAPM to develop a
determined by the level of output and the existing stock. theory of credit expansion. They argued that credit should
be extended only if the expected rate of return on credit is
Walker in his study (1964) made a pioneering effort to greater than or equal to market determined required rate of
develop a theory of working capital management by return. They used CAPM to determine the required rate of
empirically testing, though partially, three propositions return for the firm with its new risk, arising from
based on risk-return trade-off of working capital uncertainty regarding collection due to the extension of
49management. Walker studied the effect of the change in credit. Thus, these studies show how CAPM can be used for
the level of working capital on the rate of return in nine decisions involved in working capital management.

V. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

“Evaluating the financial performance of Spicejet Ltd.”

Working Capital Management

Table No – 1. Schedule showing changes in working capital for the financial years 2009 – 2010(Rs.in millions)

Calculation of Gross working capital

PARTICULARS 31ST MARCH 31ST MARCH 2010 INCREASE DECREASE

2009
Current assets
Inventories 124.72 147.21 22.49

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Volume IV, Issue III, March 2015 IJLTEMAS ISSN 2278 - 2540
Sundry debtors 123.93 189.60 65.67
Cash and bank balances 3079.96 4506.95 1426.99

Other current assets 108.00 108.00

Loans and advances 1542.87 1127.63 415.24

Total current assets (A) 4979.48 5971.39 1515.15 523.24

Current liabilities
Current liabilities 5657.23 7421.94 1764.71
Provisions 1257.07 1507.45 250.38
Total Current Liabilities 6914.3 8929.39 2015.09
(B)
Total net working capital (1934.82) (2958)
(A – B)
Increase in working 1023.18 1023.18
capital
Final Net working capital (2958) (2958) 2538.33 2538.33
* Source: Annual Reports

Interpretation

As in the above table it shows that the current assets shows has shown an decreasing trend, when compared with current
liabilities, but when compared to year 2009 the net working capital has increased to 1023.18 millions.

Table No – 2. Schedule showing changes in working capital for the financial years 2010 –2011(Rs. in millions)

PARTICULARS 31ST MARCH 2010 31ST MARCH 2011 INCREASE DECREASE

Current assets

Inventories 147.21 203.50 56.29

Sundry debtors 189.60 171.82 17.78

Cash and bank 4506.95 1922.31 2584.64

balances
Loans and advances 1094.95 1816.65 721.7

Total current assets 5938.71 4114.28 777.99 2602.42

(A)
Current liabilities

Current liabilities 7421.94 6943.99 477.95

Provisions 1474.77 83.45 1391.32

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Volume IV, Issue III, March 2015 IJLTEMAS ISSN 2278 - 2540
Total Current 8896.71 7027.44 1869.27
Liabilities (B)

Total net working (2958) (2913.16)

capital (A – B)
Decrease in working 44.84 44.84
capital

Final Net working (2958) (2958) 2647.26 2647.26

capital

* Source: Annual Reports

Interpretation

As in the above table it shows that the current assets has shown an decreasing trend, when compared with current liabilities, but
when compared to year 2010 the net working capital has decreased to 44.84 millions.

Table no 3. Schedule showing changes in working capital for the financial year 2011 – 2012(Rs. In millions)

PARTICULARS 31ST MARCH 2011 31ST MARCH 2012 INCREASE DECREASE

Current Assets
Inventories 203.50 316.53 113.03
Trade Receivables 171.82 204.09 32.27
Cash & bank 140.03 2359.07 2219.04
Balances
Short Term Loans 2159.35 1334.57 824.78
Other Current 143.72 128.77 14.95
Assets
Total Current 2818.42 4343.03 2364.34 839.73
Assets(A)
Current liabilities
Short Term 550.00 2050.00 1500
Borrowings
Trade Payables 2687.45 4701.27 2013.82

Other Current 4368.92 6915.83 2546.91

Liabilities
Short Term 26.54 65.67 39.13
Provisions
Total Current 7632.91 13732.77 6099.86
Liabilities (B)
Net working capital (4814.49) (9389.74)
(A – B)
Increase In 4575.25 4575.25
Working Capital
Net Working (9389.74) (9389.74) 6939.59 6939.59
Capital
* Source: Annual Reports

Interpretations
As in the above table it shows that the current assets has shown an decreasing trend, when compared with current liabilities, but
when compared to year 2011 the net working capital has increased to 4575.25 millions.

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Volume IV, Issue III, March 2015 IJLTEMAS ISSN 2278 - 2540
Table no 4. Schedule showing changes in working capital for the financial year 2012 – 2013(Rs. In millions)

PARTICULARS 31ST MARCH 2012 31ST MARCH 2013 INCREASE DECREASE

Current Assets
Inventories 316.53 456.23 139.7
Trade Receivables 204.09 1050.32 846.23
Cash & bank 2359.07 2170.82 188.25
Balances
Short Term Loans 1334.57 1905.04 570.47
Other Current 128.77 2274.33 2145.56
Assets
Total Current 4343.03 7856.74 3701.96 188.25
Assets
Current liabilities
Short Term 2050.00 2481.52 431.52
Borrowings
Trade Payables 4701.27 6887.01 2185.74
Other Current 6915.83 7886.79 970.96
Liabilities
Short Term 65.67 54.20 11.47
Provisions
Total Current 13732.77 17309.52 11.47 3588.22
Liabilities
Net working capital (9389.74) (9452.78)
(A – B)
Increase In 63.04 63.04
Working Capital
Net working (9452.78) (9452.78) 3776.47 3776.47

* Source: Annual Reports

Interpretations

As in the above table it shows that the current assets has shown an decreasing trend, when compared with current liabilities, but
when compared to year 2012 the net working capital has increased to 63.04 millions.

Table no 5. Schedule showing changes in working capital for the financial year 2013 – 2014(Rs. In millions)

PARTICULARS 31ST MARCH 2013 31ST MARCH 2014 INCREASE DECREASE

Current Assets
Inventories 456.23 451.23 5

Trade Receivables 1050.32 1557.35 507.03

Cash & bank 2170.82 50.56 2120.26

Balances
Short Term Loans 1905.04 1228.63 676.41

Other Current 2274.33 1332.18 942.15

Assets

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Volume IV, Issue III, March 2015 IJLTEMAS ISSN 2278 - 2540
Total Current 7856.74 4619.95 3743.82
Assets(A)
Current liabilities

Short Term 2481.52 2800.00

Borrowings
Trade Payables 6715.22 10403.76

Other Current 8058.58 12361.38

Liabilities
Short Term 54.20 56.51
Provisions
Total Current 17309.52 25621.65 8312.13
Liabilities (B)
Net working capital (9452.78) (21001.7)
(A – B)
Increase In 11548.92 11548.92
Working Capital

Net working (21001.7) (21001.7) 12055.95 12055.95

Capital
* Source: Annual Reports

Interpretations

As in the above table it shows that the current assets has shown an decreasing trend, when compared with current liabilities, but
when compared to year 2013 the net working capital has increased to 11548.92 millions.

VI. RATIO ANALYSIS  Profitability ratios

 Activity ratios
A. Introduction
1. Liquidity Ratio
The financial statement of a company contains a lot of
information about the financial performance of the Liquidity ratio measures the ability of the firm to meet its
company. Financial statements mainly consist of the current obligation (liabilities). In fact analysis of liquidity
Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Accounts. These needs the preparation of cash budget and cash and fund flow
statements give the overall picture of the company, but to statement but liquidity ratio, by establishing a relationship
analyze each aspect of business extensively, financial ratios between cash and other current asset to current obligation,
are used. The Balance Sheet and the Statement of Income to provide a quick measure of liquidity. A firm should
are essential, but they are only the starting point for ensure that it doesn’t suffer lack of liquidity and also that it
successful financial management. Financial Ratio Analysis does not have excess liquidity.
derived from Financial Statements analyses the success, The common liquidity ratios are:-
failure, and progress of business.
a. Current Ratio
Ratio Analysis is a very powerful analytical tool useful for
measuring the performance of an organization. The ratio Current ratio may be defined as the relationship between
analysis concentrates on the interrelationship among the quick or liquid asset and current liabilities. This is a
figures appearing in the mentioned financial statements. The measure of general liquidity & is most widely used to make
ratio analysis helps the management to analyze the past analysis of short-turn financial position or liquidity of firm.
performance of the firm and to make further projections. It is calculated by dividing the total current assets by total
current liabilities.
B. Various working capital ratios is used for analyzes:
Current Ratio - Current Assets_
 Liquidity ratios Current Liabilities

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Volume IV, Issue III, March 2015 IJLTEMAS ISSN 2278 - 2540
TABLE - 1 TABLE - 2

CURRENT CURRENT RATIO QUICK

YEAR ASSETS LIABILITIES CURRENT CURRENT QUICK
8929.39 0.668 YEAR ASSETS LIABILITIES RATIO
2009 - 10 5971.39 2009 - 10 5824.18 8929.39 0.65
7027.44 0.585 2010 - 11 3910.78 7027.44 0.55
2010 - 11 4114.28
2011 - 12 4026.5 13732.77 0.29
13732.77 0.316
2011 - 12 4343.03 2012 - 13 7400.51 17309.52 0.42
17309.52 0.453 2013 - 14 4168.72 25621.65 0.16
2012 - 13 7856.74 * Source: Annual Reports
25621.65 0.18
2013 - 14 4620.24
* Source: Annual Reports
QUICK CURRENT
RATIO
CURRENT RATIO
0.8 0.8
0.6
0.7 0.4
0.2 QUICK
0.6 0 CURRENT
0.5 RATIO
0.4
CURRENT
0.3
RATIO
0.2
Interpretation
0.1
0 A standard of quick ratio is 1:1. In the year 2013-14 the
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 ratio has decreased to 0.16 from 0.65 in year 2009 –
2010.due to tremendous increase in current liabilities.
- 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14
Consecutively the ratio had been varying over year to year.
Hence company position is unfavorable in nature.
Interpretations c. Current cash debt coverage ratio is a liquidity ratio
that measures the relationship between net cash
An arbitrary standard of current ratio is 2:1 indicates that for
every one rupee of current liability two rupee of current provided by operating activities and the average
assets is available. In the year 2013-14 the ratio has current liabilities of the company. It indicates the
decreased from 0.18 from 0.668 in year 2009 – 2010. ability of the business to pay its current liabilities
Because due to the tremendous increase in current from its operations.
liabilities. Consecutively the ratio had been varying over
year to year. Hence company position is unfavorable in FORMULA = NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING
nature. ACTIVITY
b. Quick Ratio/Acid Test Ratio AVERAGE CURRENT LIABILITY

Quick ratio establishes relationship between quick or TABLE - 3

liquid assets & current liabilities. It is also known as
acid test ratio. An asset is said to be liquid if it can be NET CASH
converted into case within short period of time without FROM AVERAGE
loss of value. The prepaid expenses and stock were OPERATING CURRENT
YEAR ACTIVITIES LIABILITIES RATIO
excluded.
2009 – 10 954.59 7921.84 0.12
2010 – 11 455.21 7962.07 0.057
Quick ratio = Quick asset_____
2011 – 12 1052.46 10682.84 0.098
Current Liabilities 2012 – 13 538.05 15521.14 0.034
2013 – 14 589.6 21465.58 0.027

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Volume IV, Issue III, March 2015 IJLTEMAS ISSN 2278 - 2540
* Source: Annual Reports * Source: Annual Reports

CURRENT CASH DEBT OPERATING RATIO

COVERAGE RATIO 100.00%

0.12 80.00%
0.1
0.08 60.00%
0.06 CURRENT CASH 40.00%
0.04 OPERATING
DEBT RATIO
0.02 COVERAGE 20.00%
0 RATIO 0.00%
2009 - 10
2010 - 11
2011 - 12
2012 - 13
2013 - 14

Interpretation
Interpretation
A standard of Current cash debt coverage ratio is 1:1 a
higher cash debt coverage ratio indicates better liquidity A standard of operating ratio is low operating ratio high net
position. In the year 2013-14 the ratio has decreased to profit ratio operating cost is lower the ratio higher the
0.0276 from 0.12 in year 2009 – 2010. Consecutively the profits. In the year 2013-14 the ratio has increased to
ratio had been varying over year to year. Hence company 95.30% from 77.67% in year 2009 – 2010. Consecutively
position is unfavorable in nature. the ratio had been varying over year to year. Hence
company position is unfavorable in nature.
d. Operating Ratio
e. Assets Turnover Ratio
The operating ratio is a financial term defined as a
company's operating expenses as a percentage of revenue. The amount of sales or revenues generated per rupee of
The operating ratio can be used to determine the efficiency assets. The Asset Turnover ratio is an indicator of the
of a company's management by comparing operating efficiency with which a company is deploying its assets.
expenses to net sales. It is calculated by dividing the Generally higher the ratio betters the deployment of assets
operating expenses by the net sales. General principle of by an organization.
operating ratio is (Smaller the ratio, greater the
organization's ability to generate profit). The ratio does not FORMULA - NET SALES X 100
factor in expansion or debt repayment
AVERAGE TOTAL ASSETS
FORMULA –
TABLE - 5
OPERATING RATIO - OPERATING COST X 100
YEAR NET TOTAL RATIO
NET SALES SALES ASSETS
AVERAGE
TABLE – 4
2009 – 10 21810.78 8026.38 2.71
YEAR OPERATING NET RATIO 2010 – 11 28795.08 11051.22 2.60
COST SALES
2009 -10 16939.56 21810.78 77.67% 2011 – 12 39432.62 15397.72 2.56

2010 – 11 22535.94 28795.08 78.26% 2012 – 13 56006.78 25206.74 2.22

2013 – 14 63042.33 30027.38 2.09
2011 – 12 37079.00 39432.62 94.03%
* Source: Annual Reports
2012 – 13 48104.77 56006.78 85.89%

2013 – 14 60081.98 63042.33 95.30%

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Volume IV, Issue III, March 2015 IJLTEMAS ISSN 2278 - 2540
cons of the airline by all means, which will enable them to
ASSETS TURNOVER take necessary steps to improve its overall performance like,
increasing the current assets in order to meet its short term
RATIO obligation and also factors like operating expenses has to
be decreased in order to increase its operating profits
level, and must initiate necessary steps to utilize its assets in
3 an effective and efficient manner. More over the airlines has
2.5 to increase its cash bank balances in order to meet its short
2 term liabilities. At present scenario working capital is not
1.5 satisfactory. On the other hand the management of spice jet
1 ASSETS
TURNOVER airline has to really make effective utilization of cash and
0.5
RATIO bank balances for its better profitability.
0

REFERENCES
[1]. K. Madhavi “WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT OF PAPER
MILLS.” “IMPACT: International Journal of Research in Business
Interpretations Management.” IMPACT JOURNAL” (IMPACT: IJRBM) ISSN (E):
2321-886X; ISSN (P): 2347-4572 Vol. 2, Issue 3, Mar 2014, 63-72.
A standard of assets turnover is higher the ratio better [2]. Khan, M.Y. And Jain, P.K. (2004). “Management Accounting”, 3rd
the deployment of assets. In the year 2013-14 the ratio has edition, Tata Mc Graw Hill.
[3]. www.accountingformanagement.org
decreased to 2.09 times from 2.7 times in year 2009 – 2010. [4]. www.investtopedia.com
Consecutively the ratio had been varying over year to year. [5]. www.investinganswers.com
Hence company position is unfavorable in nature. [6]. http://www.icra.in/Files/ticker/Indian%20Aviation%20Industry%20
%28NEW%29.pdf
VII. CONCLUSIONS [7]. Triant G. Flouris, Dennis Lock(2012) “Managing Aviation Projects
from Concept to Completion.” Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
From the above study it can analyzed that, the management
of SPICE JET airlines has to really investigate into pros and

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