SpiceJet Passengers Protest on Mumbai Tarmac After Flight Cancellation
Stranded SpiceJet passengers protested on the Mumbai tarmac after their Gorakhpur flight was canceled post-boarding. The airline cited military airport restrictions.
Passengers stranded on an Indian tarmac after a domestic flight cancellation took to sitting and lying on the asphalt next to the aircraft in protest. The incident involved a SpiceJet flight from Mumbai to Gorakhpur, which was called off after travelers had already boarded the plane.
Indian actress and influencer Vijay Lakshmi Mallya, who was among the passengers, voiced her frustration on social media. According to her account, departure times were repeatedly altered before passengers were allowed to board, completed safety briefings, and waited inside the cabin for approximately an hour before being ordered to disembark.
Other passengers shared footage from inside the cabin showing distressed travelers and crying children. Travelers reported waiting in the terminal for hours without receiving basic supplies such as drinking water, while departure schedules shifted continuously. The stranded passengers refused to leave the area, demanding alternative flights, proper accommodation, and compensation.
SpiceJet issued an apology for the disruption, explaining that the cancellation stemmed from operational restrictions at the destination. The airline noted that Gorakhpur Airport operates as a military facility, preventing any extension of operating hours, and stated that affected passengers were booked on an alternative flight the following day.
