SpiceJet Delhi-Dubai flights delayed 24+ hours, passengers protest at IGI
Synopsis
Two SpiceJet flights from Delhi to Dubai were grounded for over 24 hours, leaving passengers sleeping on terminal floors at IGI Airport. With the airline citing a grounded aircraft and offering no timely updates, the incident reignites questions about SpiceJet's operational reliability — a recurring concern for India's aviation regulator.
Key Takeaways
SpiceJet flights SG 5111 and SG 5105 on the Delhi–Dubai route faced delays exceeding 24 hours on 15 September 2025 .
SG 5111 , scheduled at 7:45 am , was shown as cancelled on Flightradar24 ; SG 5105 was pushed to Tuesday afternoon .
SpiceJet blamed the grounding of one of its aircraft for the operational disruptions.
Passengers staged protests at Indira Gandhi International Airport , citing a lack of updates from the airline.
Delhi Airport authorities provided food and refreshments to stranded travellers during the delay.
The incident follows separate diversions involving Air India flights to Lucknow and Jaipur earlier in the month.
SpiceJet flights SG 5111 and SG 5105, both operating on the Delhi–Dubai route, faced severe disruptions on Monday, 15 September 2025, leaving passengers stranded at Indira Gandhi International Airport for more than 24 hours. The extended delays triggered protests inside the terminal, with frustrated travellers demanding information and compensation from the airline.
What Happened on the Ground
Flight SG 5111, originally scheduled to depart at 7:45 am on Monday, was delayed multiple times through the day and had not taken off by the time reports emerged. Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 subsequently showed the flight as cancelled. A second flight, SG 5105, scheduled to leave Delhi at 6:45 pm on Monday, was pushed back until Tuesday afternoon.
Passengers reported receiving no fresh updates from the airline, leaving them in the dark about revised departure times. Videos that circulated widely online showed stranded travellers sitting on the terminal floor, visibly distressed and demanding answers.
SpiceJet's Explanation
SpiceJet attributed the disruptions to the grounding of one of its aircraft, citing operational reasons. In an official statement, the airline said: 'SpiceJet flights SG 5111 and SG 5105, operating from Delhi to Dubai, have been delayed due to operational reasons following the grounding of an aircraft.' The carrier added that alternate arrangements were being made for affected passengers and apologised for the inconvenience.
Airport Response
Authorities at Delhi Airport intervened to provide food and refreshments to stranded passengers while assisting them through the disruption, according to sources familiar with the matter. The gesture, while acknowledged by some passengers, did little to ease anger over the lack of timely communication from the airline.
Part of a Wider Pattern of Disruptions
The SpiceJet incident is the latest in a series of flight disruptions this month. On Sunday, an Air India aircraft (AI431) was diverted to Lucknow due to unfavourable weather and poor visibility conditions. Separately, an Air India flight from Bhopal to Delhi on 13 September was forced to divert to Jaipur owing to a technical issue, as per standard laid-down procedures. This comes amid a period of heightened flight disruptions across Indian carriers linked to a combination of weather events and technical snags.
With SpiceJet already under regulatory scrutiny for its operational track record, the Delhi–Dubai disruption is likely to draw fresh attention to the airline's maintenance and passenger communication protocols. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation's response, if any, is expected to be closely watched.
Point of View
But the more damaging detail is that passengers received no proactive updates, forcing them to sleep on terminal floors. India's aviation regulator has tightened oversight of SpiceJet before; the question is whether this incident triggers enforceable passenger-rights action or remains another apology cycle. With the Delhi–Dubai corridor among the highest-traffic international routes out of India, the reputational cost for the airline compounds with each recurrence.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were SpiceJet flights SG 5111 and SG 5105 delayed?
SpiceJet said both flights were delayed due to operational reasons following the grounding of one of its aircraft. The airline did not provide further technical details but issued an apology and said alternate flights were being arranged for affected passengers.
How long were passengers stranded at Delhi airport?
Passengers on flight SG 5111, scheduled for 7:45 am on Monday, were stranded for more than 24 hours, with the flight ultimately shown as cancelled on Flightradar24. Passengers on SG 5105, due at 6:45 pm on Monday, waited until Tuesday afternoon.
What did Delhi Airport authorities do for stranded passengers?
Airport authorities at Indira Gandhi International Airport provided food and refreshments to affected passengers and assisted them through the disruption, according to sources. However, passengers reported that the airline itself failed to communicate timely updates.
Is SpiceJet the only airline facing disruptions this month?
No. An Air India flight (AI431) was diverted to Lucknow on Sunday due to poor weather conditions, and another Air India flight from Bhopal to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur on 13 September due to a technical issue. Disruptions this month have affected multiple carriers.
What happens next for affected SpiceJet passengers?
SpiceJet stated it was arranging alternate flights for passengers impacted by the Delhi–Dubai disruption. Affected travellers may also be entitled to compensation and care under India's civil aviation passenger rights norms, which mandate timely information and assistance during delays.
