July 13, 2025: Passengers at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport erupted in anger after a SpiceJet flight to Dubai was delayed by over 10 hours, sparking chaotic scenes and protests inside the terminal.
The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 1:50 AM, faced technical issues, leading to prolonged delays without clear communication from the airline. Stranded passengers claimed they were not provided with basic necessities such as food or water, and said there was poor coordination from ground staff, which added to their frustration.
As tempers flared, a large group of passengers began shouting slogans like “SpiceJet chor hai” (SpiceJet is a thief), demanding accountability. Videos circulating on social media show crowds of distressed travellers staging a sit-in inside the airport terminal, calling for transparency and proper handling from the airline.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another safety-related controversy involving the airline, when a window frame on a Pune-bound SpiceJet flight reportedly popped out mid-air. Passengers, including a mother and child seated nearby, were left frightened. While the airline later clarified that the outer layers of the window remained intact and there was no cabin depressurisation, the incident raised fresh concerns about aircraft maintenance.
SpiceJet has yet to issue a detailed statement regarding the Mumbai flight delay. However, growing frustration over the airline’s recent operational troubles is leading to increased scrutiny from aviation authorities and flyers alike.