SpiceJet flights delayed after check-in disruption, flyers stranded at Delhi airport

Several SpiceJet flights from Delhi were delayed on Saturday due to operational issues, affecting more than 500 passengers, according to sources. At least four domestic flights and one international flight were impacted, with services to Leh, Jammu and Dubai among those facing delays.

Sources said check-in staff for some Leh-bound flights did not report for duty at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 1 around 2.30 am, affecting the passenger check-in process.

SpiceJet later said the affected flights had departed and reached their destinations.

“On September 19, 2026, SpiceJet flights SG121 and SG127 operating from Delhi to Leh and SG2160 operating from Delhi to Jammu were delayed due to operational reasons. The flights have departed and already landed at their destinations. SpiceJet deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to the passengers,” a SpiceJet spokesperson said.

Among the affected flights was SG127 from Delhi to Leh, which was scheduled to depart at 4.50 am. Sources said the flight eventually departed at around 9 am, resulting in a delay of more than four hours.

Passengers waiting to check in for the Leh flight were reportedly unsure about whom to approach amid the delay. Sources said some passengers became upset, following which a duty manager was called in and the situation was brought under control. The check-in process for the flight subsequently began.

Two other SpiceJet flights operating from Delhi to Leh were also affected. Flight SG121 was scheduled to depart at 6.10 am, while SG125 was scheduled for 8.45 am.

The airline's Delhi-Jammu flight SG2160, scheduled to depart at 7.40 am from Terminal 1, was also delayed by more than an hour, according to sources.DELHI-DUBAI FLIGHT ALSO DELAYED

The disruption was not limited to domestic services. SpiceJet's Delhi-Dubai flight SG5111, operating from Terminal 3, was scheduled to depart at 7.45 am but was also delayed.

According to flight-tracking data, the Delhi-Dubai service eventually took off at 9.42 am.

Sources said three Leh-bound flights and one Jammu-bound flight from Terminal 1 were affected, impacting nearly 450 passengers. The international delay further increased the overall number of passengers affected by the disruptions.

By later in the morning, the affected domestic flights had departed, while the Delhi-Dubai service had also left for its destination.DELHI AIRPORT SAYS TEAMS COORDINATING WITH AIRLINE

Delhi Airport also issued a statement acknowledging the disruption and said its teams were coordinating with SpiceJet and other stakeholders to assist affected passengers.

“We regret the inconvenience faced by passengers due to the operational disruption of some SpiceJet flights,” the airport said.

“Delhi Airport teams are actively coordinating with the airline and relevant stakeholders to support affected passengers and provide necessary assistance to help normalise the situation,” it added.

Delhi Airport also posted visuals showing passengers waiting amid the disruption. A video showed a large crowd gathered in a check-in or waiting area, with several passengers carrying backpacks and standing near their luggage.

The airport also shared a photo of its staff distributing water to passengers, along with footage showing crowds waiting inside the terminal.We regret the inconvenience faced by passengers due to the operational disruption of some SpiceJet flights.Delhi Airport teams are actively coordinating with the airline and relevant stakeholders to support affected passengers and provide necessary assistance to help (1/2) pic.twitter.com/FM6zxblRdY— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) September 19, 2026

The airport thanked passengers for their patience and cooperation and advised them to contact the concerned airline or seek assistance from on-ground teams for the latest flight updates.THE SECOND SPICEJET MISHAP THIS WEEK

On September 15, two SpiceJet flights from Delhi to Dubai, SG 5111 and SG 5105, were delayed by more than 24 hours after the aircraft were grounded, triggering protests by passengers at Delhi airport. Stranded travellers staged sit-ins, demanding food, accommodation and updates from the airline.

Airport personnel later provided assistance, while some passengers also clashed with airport officials over restrictions on recording videos.

SpiceJet apologised for the disruption, citing operational reasons, and said alternate flights would be arranged to minimise inconvenience.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Sep 19, 2026 16:20 IST