SpiceJet has come under intense scrutiny as frequent delays and cancellations continue to disrupt travel plans for passengers. On Tuesday, the airline left more than 100 passengers stranded at Dubai airport for over 24 hours after their Dubai-Ahmedabad flight SG16 was delayed without a clear explanation. Among the affected passengers was 85-year-old Usharani Prithiyani, a wheelchair user, who had arrived at the airport with her family, only to face hours of uncertainty and frustration.
Paramanand Dariyani, a businessman from Thaltej, Ahmedabad, recounted the ordeal: “We reached Dubai airport at 5 pm for the 7:30 pm flight. After completing the check-in process and depositing our luggage, we were informed that the flight was delayed. It has now been over 26 hours, and we still haven’t received any clear answers from the airline.” His elderly mother-in-law, Usharani, endured the long wait at the terminal, highlighting the strain on vulnerable passengers.
Adding to the chaos, delays and cancellations were not isolated to this flight. On Wednesday, the Ahmedabad-Dubai flight was delayed by 8–9 hours, while the Delhi-Ahmedabad flight was outright cancelled. These repeated disruptions have caused widespread anger among passengers, who have struggled with a lack of communication and support from SpiceJet.
Mayhem at the Airport Reports from airport sources suggest that SpiceJet’s operational struggles are rooted in aircraft leasing issues, leading to regular disruptions in its flight schedules. This ongoing issue was further highlighted early Wednesday morning when the 5:35 am Ahmedabad-Delhi flight was abruptly cancelled. Passengers, many of whom had arrived at the airport at 3 am, were left frustrated and demanded answers from the airline staff.
The situation escalated quickly, with tempers flaring as passengers demanded refunds or alternative flights. A heated argument ensued between passengers and the airline’s staff, and at one point, an irate passenger reportedly snatched a staff member’s phone. Tensions reached a boiling point when passengers gathered near the ticket counter, shouting slogans and damaging the glass counter in protest.
Intervention by Authorities As the situation spiraled, CISF personnel had to intervene, resorting to a baton charge to control the agitated crowd. The local police were also called in to prevent further escalation. Inspector SG Khambla of the airport police station commented, “We arrived at the domestic terminal and managed to calm things down. No formal complaint has been filed.”
SpiceJet’s recurring delays and operational challenges have raised serious concerns about the airline’s reliability, especially with vulnerable passengers like Usharani Prithiyani being severely affected. The mounting frustrations among passengers and the airline’s apparent lack of resolution have further strained its reputation in an already competitive aviation market.