Over 200 SpiceJet passengers protest at Delhi airport after Dubai flight gets delayed for more than 24 hours

Dubai-Bound SpiceJet Travellers Face Prolonged Disruption at Delhi Airport

Theindiapostdaily.com – More than 200 passengers waiting to fly from Delhi to Dubai faced an extended period of uncertainty after two SpiceJet services were repeatedly rescheduled, prompting protests inside Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The disruption involved flights SG 5111 and SG 5105, both scheduled to operate from Delhi to Dubai on Monday. SG 5111 was due to leave at 8:30 am, while SG 5105 had an evening departure time of 10:10 pm. Neither service operated as planned, leaving many travellers at the airport for more than a day.

Passengers began gathering and protesting in different parts of Terminal 3 from late Monday evening as delays continued. Images circulated online showed travellers seated on the terminal floor, expressing frustration over the lack of a confirmed departure. Some social-media posts also suggested that slogans were raised against the airline, though those claims and the videos could not be independently confirmed.

Aircraft Grounding Cited as Cause

SpiceJet apologised to affected customers on Tuesday and attributed the interruption to operational issues linked to the grounding of an aircraft. The airline said it was arranging replacement services to move stranded travellers to Dubai.

“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,” a SpiceJet spokesperson said.

“Alternate flights are being arranged to accommodate the affected passengers, and the airline is making every effort to minimise the inconvenience caused,” the spokesperson added.

By 2 pm on Tuesday, the substitute flights had still not left for Dubai. For passengers on an international route, a delay of this scale can create complications beyond waiting at the departure gate. Travellers may have onward travel plans, hotel reservations, work commitments, visa-related timelines or family obligations that depend on reaching their destination at a fixed time.

Airport authorities took up the issue with SpiceJet executives as the protests unfolded. The episode placed renewed focus on communication during major airline disruptions, particularly when a revised departure schedule changes repeatedly. Clear updates on flight status, rebooking arrangements and available assistance can be vital for passengers who have already spent long hours in the terminal.

Pressure on the Carrier’s Operations

The delay comes at a difficult period for the budget airline, which has been dealing with financial and operational pressures. SpiceJet’s domestic market share declined to 1.6 per cent in July from 1.9 per cent in June, continuing a downward trend that has been visible since February.

The carrier has also faced concerns over delayed salary payments. Many employees have reportedly not received salaries since May, adding to scrutiny of the airline’s financial position and its ability to maintain reliable operations across its network.

Airline scheduling depends on the availability of aircraft, crew, maintenance support and airport slots. When an aircraft is grounded unexpectedly, the impact can spread quickly through the day’s planned flights. On an international service, finding a suitable replacement aircraft and fitting it into an approved operating schedule may take additional time.

For travellers, the immediate issue is whether they can be accommodated on another flight and when they will receive a firm departure time. Airlines may need to reorganise passengers across alternate services, which can be especially challenging where seats are limited or large groups are affected at once.

Fleet Expansion Plans Ahead of Peak Travel Season

SpiceJet has been seeking to strengthen its fleet through new lease arrangements. Earlier this month, the airline finalised agreements with three aircraft operators for the induction of 20 planes. The aircraft are expected to enter service in stages from mid-October to mid-November.

The planned additions are intended to support the airline’s domestic and international operations before the winter travel rush, which begins around the Durga Puja period. More capacity is also expected to support the subsequent peak summer travel season.

In outlining the planned induction, the airline said the aircraft would reinforce its network and provide extra seats during periods of heavier demand. The success of that plan will be closely watched by customers who rely on the carrier for both domestic journeys and international connections.

Government and Regulator Monitoring

Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said last week that the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation were closely monitoring SpiceJet’s finances and operations. He noted that the government engages with airlines regularly over operational difficulties and challenges.

“Every month, we engage with all the airlines regarding whatever difficulties or issues or challenges they have. SpiceJet also, in the same regard, we have been meeting,” Naidu said.

The Delhi-Dubai disruption illustrates how quickly operational problems can affect passengers when a scheduled aircraft becomes unavailable. While SpiceJet has said alternatives are being arranged, the prolonged wait has left affected travellers seeking timely movement and clearer certainty over their journey plans.