Cancelled Mumbai-Gorakhpur SpiceJet Flight Sparks Outrage
Chaos and distress erupted at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after SpiceJet flight SG 553, bound for Gorakhpur, was abruptly cancelled following an agonizing delay of more than eight hours. Pushed to the brink of exhaustion and frustration, several passengers walked onto the tarmac and sat or laid down on the apron right in front of the aircraft in protest. Dramatic video clips of travelers stranded beside the plane went viral across social media platforms, sparking severe public backlash against the low-cost airline over recurring service disruptions, passenger handling protocols, and operational transparency ahead of the festive travel rush.
Tarmac Chaos and Viral Outcry: Passengers Allege Crew Walkout After Protracted Wait
The ordeal escalated into a full-blown public spectacle when affected flyers began broadcasting live visuals from the apron on social media. A passenger identified as Vijay Lakshmi Mallya shared video clips documenting chaotic scenes around the grounded plane, where exasperated travelers were seen sitting and lying down on the tarmac with hand luggage, demanding answers from airline representatives. In one of the widely circulated clips, a distressed woman passenger pointed her phone camera toward the aircraft and the apron, asserting that the pilots and cabin crew abandoned the aircraft immediately after making the cancellation announcement, leaving families with young children in a state of panic without clear accommodation or alternative options. The videos, captured with a blend of disbelief and outrage, prompted widespread demands online for regulatory intervention and formal investigations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) into passenger handling violations.
Gorakhpur Defense Airfield Curfew: SpiceJet Clarifies Night Flying Restrictions
Facing mounting public criticism, SpiceJet issued an official clarification explaining the technical and regulatory constraints behind the abrupt cancellation. The airline stated that the operational window was closed due to rigid watch-hour limitations at the Gorakhpur civil enclave, which operates from an active Indian Air Force (IAF) defense airbase. Under standard military airfield protocols, civilian flight operations and air traffic clearance at Gorakhpur are strictly prohibited beyond the 9:00 PM deadline. The airline explained that progressive operational delays earlier in the day pushed the estimated arrival past the mandatory defense curfew, leaving the crew with no legal clearance to fly into the destination. Expressing deep regret for the inconvenience inflicted on travelers, the budget carrier confirmed that it scheduled an additional commercial relief flight to transport all stranded passengers to Gorakhpur while providing necessary terminal assistance.
