A SpiceJet employee has been suspended after a video showing a confrontation with passengers at Bagdogra Airport gained widespread attention on social media. The incident occurred on 13 June after SpiceJet flight SG 151, scheduled to travel from Bagdogra to Delhi, faced significant disruption.
The flight was initially delayed before being cancelled, leading to frustration among passengers waiting at the airport.
Videos circulating online showed a heated exchange between an airline staff member and several passengers. The footage quickly attracted public attention, with many social- media users questioning the handling of the situation.
In a statement, SpiceJet attributed the disruption to adverse weather conditions and operational challenges. The airline said the aircraft assigned for the flight had earlier been diverted to Kolkata due to poor weather in Bagdogra, affecting the scheduled departure.
According to the airline, the flight was eventually cancelled because of watch hour restrictions at the airport. The cancellation reportedly led to tensions between passengers and airline personnel, culminating in the verbal altercation captured on video.
Following an internal review, SpiceJet announced disciplinary action against the employee involved in the incident. The staff member has been suspended with immediate effect and will undergo refresher training while the matter remains under review.
The airline reiterated that passenger safety and operational reliability remain its top priorities. It also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to travellers by the cancellation.
The episode has sparked discussion around frontline employee conduct and passenger management during operational disruptions. While some social-media users criticised the employee’s behaviour, others pointed to the challenges faced by airline staff when handling distressed passengers during unexpected cancellations.
SpiceJet said it will continue to examine the incident and determine any further action based on the outcome of its review.
