# SpiceJet flights delayed at Delhi over unpaid staff salaries 2026-09-19T13:27:32+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets SpiceJet flights at Delhi Airport were delayed on September 19 due to staff reportedly not reporting for duty over unpaid salaries for three months, The New Indian Express reports. Multiple sources told the outlet that four flights to Leh and Jammu were affected, stranding over 400 passengers. Staff returned to work after senior executives and airport authorities intervened. Livemint reports that SpiceJet cited 'operational reasons' for the delays and said flights SG121, SG127 and SG2160 had landed at their destinations. Delhi Airport said its teams were coordinating with the airline to assist passengers. The airline apologised for the inconvenience. The airline has faced a prolonged financial crisis, with a large portion of its fleet grounded. On September 15, two Delhi-Dubai flights were delayed over 24 hours, triggering passenger protests. Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the government has been urging SpiceJet to expand operations and that the carrier is seeking funds under the ECLGS scheme. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The two sources diverge on the core cause of the delays. Livemint, quoting only the airline and the airport, reports 'operational reasons' without probing further. The New Indian Express, citing multiple unnamed sources, attributes the disruption directly to staff not reporting due to unpaid salaries. The airline's own statement, identical in both outlets, omits the salary issue. This suggests the company is framing the disruption as a technical or logistical problem while employee grievances may be the underlying driver. The next figure to watch is whether SpiceJet's ECLGS application proceeds and whether salary payments resume. ## Coverage - livemint.com (neutral report) Reports airline and airport statements without investigating staff salary issue - newindianexpress.com (government critical) Leads with unpaid staff salaries as cause, sources conflict with airline statement Tags: Delhi airport, DGCA, ECLGS, Ram Mohan Naidu, SpiceJet Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/spicejet-flights-delayed-at-delhi-airport-passengers-stranded/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/spicejet-flights-delayed-at-delhi-airport-passengers-stranded/#story-in-brief