Over 200 SpiceJet passengers protest at Delhi airport after Dubai flight delayed by more than 24 hours | Today’s news
About 200 SpiceJet passengers protested at the Delhi airport after flights to Dubai were rescheduled several times and faced delays since Monday, PTI reported.
Two SpiceJet flights – SG 5111 and SG 5105 – were scheduled to depart from Delhi to Dubai on Monday morning (8:30 am) and evening (10:10 pm). However, both the flights were diverted and several passengers were left stranded at the airport, a source told PTI.
Passengers have been protesting at various locations of Delhi Airport’s Terminal 3 (T3) since late Monday evening. Airport officials have discussed the matter with SpiceJet management.
Visuals shared on social media showed passengers sitting on the floor in protest against the airline. Some users claimed that passengers also raised slogans against SpiceJet. The Mint could not independently verify these claims or the authenticity of the videos.
SpiceJet reports aircraft grounding
Reacting to the disruption, a SpiceJet spokesperson on Tuesday apologized for the inconvenience caused to passengers and said alternative flights were being arranged.
“SpiceJet flights SG 5111 and SG 5105, which fly from Delhi to Dubai, were delayed due to operational reasons after the aircraft landed,” a spokesperson told PTI.
“Alternative flights are being arranged for affected passengers and the airline is trying to minimize the inconvenience caused,” the spokeswoman added.
According to an Indian Express report, alternative flights to Dubai were departing only at 2 pm on Tuesday.
SpiceJet is facing many challenges
The budget carrier has been facing many headwinds recently. In July, the airline’s share of the domestic market fell to 1.6 percent from 1.9 percent in June.
The airline is said to be facing financial problems and there has been a delay in the payment of salaries to employees. Wages have not been paid to many employees since May.
The airline’s domestic share has fallen since February. Earlier this month, it finalized lease agreements with three aircraft operators to induct 20 aircraft.
“The aircraft are scheduled to join the fleet in phases between mid-October and mid-November, ahead of the winter travel peak starting with the Durga Puja period. The commissioning will boost capacity across SpiceJet’s domestic and international network and provide additional capacity through the winter and the following peak summer travel season,” the airline said.
Last week, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu told PTI that the Civil Aviation Ministry and aviation regulator DGCA are closely monitoring the airline’s finances and operations.
“Every month we have discussions with all the airlines regarding any difficulties, problems or challenges they have. We have also met SpiceJet in the same regard,” Naidu said.
