Several SpiceJet flights from Ahmedabad Airport were cancelled or significantly delayed on Saturday, 7 November. Diwali travellers heading to Kerala, Patna and Bagdogra were left stranded at the airport.
Passengers, including Dr Kaival Shah, said they learned of the disruption only after reaching the airport. There was no advance warning, and travellers found themselves stuck with no clear plan.
Frustration at the airport
Videos showed frustrated passengers confronting SpiceJet staff over the delays. The passengers complained about the lack of senior officials at the airport and the lack of clear communication about what was happening.
The confrontation reflected the anger of people who had planned their Diwali travel and found their flights cancelled without explanation. Staff at the airport had few answers to give.
Alternative tickets at three to four times the price
Passengers said alternative tickets cost up to about Rs 28,000, which was three to four times the original fares. For families travelling for Diwali, the extra cost was a heavy blow on top of the cancelled flights.
The high prices for last-minute tickets left many passengers with no good option. Some could not afford the alternatives, and others could not find seats at all.
No response from SpiceJet yet
SpiceJet's response to the cancellations was still awaited at the time of the report. The airline had not yet explained why the flights were cancelled or delayed, or what it would do for the stranded passengers.
The absence of a statement added to the passengers' frustration. Without an official word, travellers had no way of knowing whether their flights would be rescheduled or refunded.
A Diwali in limbo
For the travellers, the Diwali vacation was left in limbo. The festival is a time when families travel home, and the cancellations disrupted plans that had been made weeks in advance.
The stranded passengers included people heading to Kerala, Patna and Bagdogra. Each of them faced the same problem: a cancelled flight, no clear information, and expensive alternatives.
What passengers want
The passengers want clear communication from the airline, and either a rescheduled flight or a refund. They also want senior officials to be present at the airport to deal with the situation.
Until SpiceJet responds, the travellers remain stuck. The cancellations on 7 November have turned a festival journey into a wait at the airport with no end in sight.
