Passengers at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport were left stranded after two SpiceJet flights to Dubai were delayed by more than 24 hours, triggering protests and angry exchanges at Terminal 3.
The affected flights, SG 5111 and SG 5105, were scheduled to depart for Dubai on Monday morning and evening, respectively. However, both flights were repeatedly rescheduled, leaving around 200 passengers waiting at the airport for extended periods.
According to reports, passengers staged sit-in protests at different points inside Terminal 3 from Monday evening. Videos from the airport showed frustrated travellers sitting on the terminal floor and raising slogans against the airline.
Passengers were reportedly seeking clarity on the departure schedule, as well as food and accommodation during the prolonged wait. Airport staff later stepped in to provide food and water and arrange a place for passengers to rest.
SpiceJet attributed the disruption to operational issues following the grounding of an aircraft. The airline said alternate flights were being arranged for the affected passengers and apologised for the inconvenience.
"SpiceJet flights SG 5111 and SG 5105, operating from Delhi to Dubai, have been delayed due to operational reasons following the grounding of an aircraft," an airline spokesperson said. "Alternate flights are being arranged to accommodate the affected passengers, and the airline is making every effort to minimise the inconvenience caused."
Flight SG 5111 was originally scheduled to leave Delhi on Monday morning and was subsequently pushed back multiple times. SG 5105, which was scheduled to depart Monday evening, was also rescheduled. Both flights had still not departed when reports emerged on Tuesday.
The disruption has added to concerns over SpiceJet's operational challenges. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu had recently said that the ministry and aviation regulator DGCA were closely monitoring the airline's financial and operational situation.
