SpiceJet on Monday cited a “technical issue” after its Bengaluru-bound flight SG 199 from Delhi was delayed, leaving passengers stranded at the airport for more than six hours.
The airline said a replacement plane had been arranged because maintenance on the original plane required more time than originally expected, a spokesman said.
In an exclusive statement to LiveMint, an airline spokesperson said, “SpiceJet flight SG 199 on April 6, 2026, scheduled to operate from Delhi to Bengaluru, has been delayed due to a technical issue. A replacement aircraft has been arranged as the maintenance of the aircraft took longer than expected. The flight has already landed in Bengaluru.”
“SpiceJet deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers,” they added.
The Internet is responding
Many users took issue with X regarding the delay, saying the flight was delayed, there was no food and their day was “wasted”.
A 52-second viral video on the platform also showed a passenger surrounded by other passengers explaining the problems caused by the delay to airport staff. She claimed that they “openly refused to provide water”.
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One of the users said, “The flight from Delhi to Bangalore was delayed by more than 10 hours. The scheduled departure was at 11:55 AM, now it was announced to be 8:00 PM. There is no proper communication or support for passengers. We need a clear explanation of this delay and the action being taken.”
“Flight #SG199 Delhi to Bangalore was supposed to depart today at 11:55am. Delayed by over 6 hours, no official reason behind flight delay. Passengers without food, wasted day,” said another, tagging the airline and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and asking, “Who will compensate them?”
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A third user commented: “Chaos ensued at T1D’s home airport, IGI as @flyspicejet flight SG 199 bound for #Bengaluru was delayed by over 6 hours and there is no confirmation even for a future departure!”
ATF prices partial increase
Meanwhile, the government recently decided to allow only a partial increase in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices.
As per the revised rates effective from April 1, 2026, ATF prices in major metro cities have increased by around 25% compared to a much steeper 100% increase in global fuel prices. In Delhi, rates have soared to ₹1,04,927 per kiloliter from ₹96,638.14 in March. Kolkata has seen prices rise ₹1,09,450 from ₹99,587.14 while Mumbai saw an increase of Rs ₹98,247 from ₹90,451.87. Prices have moved up in Chennai ₹1,09,873 from ₹1,00,280.49 last month.
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Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu welcomed the move, calling it the right step to ease pressure on passengers and the aviation industry.
Taking to social media, the minister said, “With ATF prices in India – deregulated since 2001 and revised monthly based on international benchmarks, facing extraordinary pressure due to global power outages and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a steep increase of over 100% was expected from April 1.
He further added, “In this challenging context, the decision of the PSU Oil Marketing Companies under the Ministry of Petroleum, in consultation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, to implement only a partial and phased increase of 25% ( ₹15/litre) for domestic airlines is both pragmatic and forward-looking while ensuring that international routes carry the full market price”.
The price revision comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have disrupted global energy supply chains after the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
