SpiceJet ordered to pay ₹55,000 compensation for 14-hour flight delay, upholding passenger rights

Is your flight delayed and has the airline not compensated you with adequate food or rest during the ordeal? Here’s some news for you! SpiceJet has been ordered to compensate a passenger with Rs 55,000 after a flight from Dubai to Mumbai was delayed by more than 14 hours last year. The ruling came from the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Mumbai Suburban, which said the airline failed to provide proper arrangements during the long wait.

The case related to a July 27, 2024 flight that was delayed due to a technical glitch. According to the complaint, passengers were only given a single burger and fries as refreshments during the entire delay.

The commission, led by President Pradeep Kadu and Member Gauri M. Kapse, noted that this was a violation of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), which clearly state that airlines must provide adequate food, water, and rest facilities based on the length of delay.

“There is no denial of the fact that passengers were provided only one burger and fries for the entire delay of more than 14 hours,” the commission said. It added that airlines cannot escape responsibility towards passengers simply because delays are common in the aviation sector.

SpiceJet argued that the delay was caused by operational and technical reasons, which qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” under CAR, and therefore exempt the airline from liability. However, the commission rejected this defence, pointing out that the airline had failed to show evidence that it had made adequate arrangements for stranded passengers.

This ruling is not just about one passenger; it carries a wider message for the aviation sector in India. DGCA guidelines are designed to protect travellers during long delays. The order reinforces that airlines must strictly follow these rules and cannot cut corners. While technical glitches may be unavoidable, airlines are still expected to provide food, water, rest areas, and timely updates until the flight is ready.

With consumer courts stepping in, passengers now have a stronger precedent to challenge airlines if they feel mistreated during cancellations or long delays and beyond legal penalties, such cases damage public trust.

In today’s competitive market, poor handling of disruptions can push passengers to switch carriers.