A SpiceJet passenger has criticized the airline for what he called “poor planning” after a flight was delayed by two hours due to dense fog at Delhi Airport. The passenger, Pratyush Rawat, took to social media platform X to share his frustration, claiming that passengers were made to wait inside the aircraft for an extended period despite the foreseeable delay.
The flight, SG263, was scheduled to depart early Friday from Delhi to Kolkata, but was grounded due to the thick fog that had affected airport operations. Rawat argued that the airline was aware that the flight would not be allowed to take off due to the fog, yet they proceeded with boarding passengers. He pointed out that there were infants and elderly passengers onboard, which, according to him, made the delay even more uncomfortable for vulnerable travelers.
Tagging the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on X, Rawat expressed his disappointment, writing, “Boarded SG263 Delhi-Kolkata at 6 am, but still grounded after 2 hrs due to dense fog. There are infants & elderly onboard—this delay was foreseeable and is sheer poor planning. Airlines should ensure ATC clearance before boarding.”
The incident highlights growing concerns over how airlines handle scheduling and communication during weather-related disruptions. While delays due to weather conditions are sometimes unavoidable, passengers are increasingly holding airlines accountable for planning and communication that could potentially minimize inconvenience during such situations.
