Ahmedabad: Over 100 flights are facing delays in departure and arrival from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi due to the very dense fog situation prevailing in the national capital. Several flights were diverted to other locations such as Jaipur and Ahmedabad. Among all those flights diverted to Ahmedabad, two flights, namely VietJet Air VJ 895 from Ho Chi Minh City to New Delhi and SpiceJet SG 958 from Srinagar to Delhi, were diverted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport, late Wednesday night.

With delays of several hours, passengers were left frustrated with the airline service, alleging that the VietJet Air staff abandoned them at the SVPI International Airport with no answer whatsoever about when they would be able to fly out of the city.

The SpiceJet SG 958 Srinagar to Delhi flight, which was supposed to depart at 7 pm from Srinagar, was first delayed and took off at 8:15, only to be diverted to SVPI Airport in Ahmedabad, where it landed at 10:15 pm. Passengers alleged that, after “sitting in the aircraft for almost 4 hours,” they were de-boarded and asked to wait in the waiting area.

Weary travelers alleged that no food was provided, and only a small cup of water was given before the airline was done with hospitality. “No incharge at Ahmedabad airport to decide and give all 150+ passengers a proper meal and resting area who have been sitting for the last 12 hours,” said a passenger in a tweet.

SG 958 from Srinagar to Delhi originally scheduled for 5pm on 27th Dec was delayed to 8:15pm and was diverted to Ahmedabad airport. Sitting in aircraft for almost 4 hours we were de boarded @JM_Scindia @flyspicejet @PMOIndia @ABPNews @BBCWorld @ndtv @timesofindia @DGCAIndia pic.twitter.com/KimNi40fQx

— Payel 🇮🇳 (@pbose22) December 27, 2023

After waiting for over 12 hours, the flight took off the next morning at 10:35 to land in Delhi at 11:54 am.

In the case of VietJet Air VJ 895 flight, which takes off from Ho Chi Minh City at 7 pm to land at 10:50 pm in Delhi, it was also diverted to Ahmedabad. Around 300 passengers on board were de-boarded and left waiting for nearly 13 hours before they took off for Delhi at 12:33, arriving at IGI airport at 13:45.

Several passengers took to Twitter to complain about the non-caring attitude of the airline. One such passenger tweeted, “Don’t ever fly this ridiculous airline. They have abandoned us at a random airport in India. No water, refreshments served. They say the flight will now depart at 11 AM. Completely unacceptable.”

Don’t ya ever fly this ridiculous airline. They have abandoned at us a random airport in India.
No water, refreshment served. They say the flight will now depart at 11AM.
Completely unacceptable.

— Harsh Malhotra (@HarshMa66793396) December 27, 2023

Another user, while tagging the Civil Aviation Minister in his tweet, wrote, “Sir, please BAN Vietjet from India. They are growing rapidly with their pathetic services. Flight delay, divert, reroute, hidden charges are their regular scams.”

“More than 300 passengers are waiting at Delhi Airport for the last 14 hours, and they have no update on when we will fly. The same number of passengers are stranded at Ahmedabad Airport since their flight was diverted. Such poor flights should not be allowed,” he added.

More than 300 passengers are waiting at Delhi Airport since last 14 hours and they have no update when we will fly. Same number of passengers are stranded at Ahmedabad Airport since their flight diverted. Such poor flights should not be allowed.

— Mohneesh Bhardwaj (@mbhrdwj) December 28, 2023

Amidst all these delays, the Delhi airport, in an advisory, said, “While landings and take-offs continue at Delhi airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.” Planes having the CAT III navigation system are able to land amid tough weather conditions. DeshGujarat