Over 100 passengers were stranded at Pune Airport for more than 20 hours due to a significant delay of SpiceJet flight SG51 bound for Dubai. The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 9:00 PM on Thursday, September 10, 2026, underwent multiple reschedules before finally departing Pune at approximately 6:05 PM on Friday, September 11, 2026.
- Over 100 passengers stranded at Pune Airport for over 20 hours
- Flight SG51 to Dubai delayed repeatedly from 9:00 PM Thursday to 6:05 PM Friday
- Construction workers affected express worry over visas and jobs
- Airline issues linked to a technical problem during Delhi-Pune rotation
Passengers remained at the airport throughout the night and the following day as departure times were shifted repeatedly from midnight to early morning, then to the afternoon.
Among the affected passengers were numerous construction workers who expressed distress over the delay. These passengers raised concerns regarding their visa validity, employment joining dates, and accommodation bookings.
Many alleged a lack of clear communication and support from the airline. Complaining about the cost of food at airport outlets, passengers noted that they only received tea, water, and biscuits from airport authorities late in the afternoon.
Sources close to the airline indicated that a technical problem during the Delhi–Pune rotation impacted subsequent operations.
SpiceJet did not provide an official response by the time of publication. This route has faced frequent disruptions recently, with The Indian Express reporting on September 4 that flight SG51 had experienced delays ranging from six to 14 hours and some cancellations over the preceding week.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Passenger Charter mandates that for flights with a block time between 2.5 and 5 hours, such as the approximately 3.5-hour Pune-Dubai route, airlines must provide free meals and refreshments for delays exceeding three hours, and in some cases, hotel accommodation.
Passengers traveling on sensitive immigration timelines, including those with expiring visas or nearing entry permit deadlines, are advised to maintain records of their original and revised flight timings, boarding passes, and airline communications. In the event of disputes, travelers can file grievances via the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s AirSewa portal.
For the flight scheduled on September 12, passengers are urged to verify the latest status through official SpiceJet channels before reaching the airport.
