Several SpiceJet flights faced excessive cancellations and delays on Wednesday, April 29, from Mumbai, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded, searching for answers on what to do.
According to the airline, three SpiceJet flights from Mumbai to Delhi, Gorakhpur and Bengaluru have been canceled due to “operational reasons”. The airline said the reasons included the plane landing and bad weather conditions at the previous station, Bagdogra.
“Three SpiceJet departures from Mumbai, SG 631 (Mumbai-Delhi), SG 553 (Mumbai-Gorakhpur) and SG 669 (Mumbai-Bengaluru), were canceled on April 29 due to operational reasons, including grounding of the aircraft and adverse weather at the previous station (Bagdogra) of the operating aircraft, resulting in FDTL restrictions on the crew,” a SpiceJet spokesperson said.
The airline added that two flights from Mumbai to Ahmedabad were delayed due to weather conditions at the previous stops. “In addition, two flights from Mumbai to Ahmedabad were delayed due to inclement weather conditions at the previous two stops – Varanasi and Bagdogra – of the operating aircraft, and they have since departed with delays,” the spokesperson said.
To compensate for the canceled flights, the airline said it will operate additional flights on Thursday, April 30 to accommodate affected passengers. “We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers and appreciate their understanding,” she said.
“Pilots say ground staff have disappeared.”
Pictures from the scene show passengers waiting in long lines with their luggage, trying to get answers from airline staff. In one of the video clips, passengers inside the plane are shown facing the queue to find out the reason for the delay.
One of the passengers was heard saying in a video clip: “The pilots are complaining about your running away from the plane. People are asking for water, but no one answers.”
Another passenger said they had “never heard of a case where the pilot told passengers he had no idea where the ground staff were and they ‘disappeared’.”
Some passengers also complained that ground staff were not present, and therefore their luggage was not loaded, forcing them to wait without answers.
