A SpiceJet flight SG 41, bound for Kathmandu from Delhi, experienced a significant delay at Delhi Airport on Thursday, September 11, 2025, due to a technical snag. The incident caused considerable discomfort to passengers, as they were left stranded inside the aircraft without functioning air conditioning.

The flight, initially scheduled to depart at 8:10 AM, was delayed to 9:30 AM. According to an ANI video journalist onboard, the aircraft taxied briefly on the runway without any communication from the crew. Passengers were then forced to endure over an hour in the cabin with malfunctioning air conditioning. The plane was subsequently brought back to the parking bay, where the crew announced a technical issue as the reason for the delay.

Following this, passengers were asked to disembark and were made to wait in a bus near the parking area. SpiceJet issued a statement confirming the technical problem and stated that they were working to resolve it. Further updates on the flight's status are awaited.

This incident occurred amidst other disruptions affecting flights to and from Kathmandu. Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu had recently resumed operations after being shut down for several days due to Gen Z-led protests. These protests had triggered widespread unrest across Nepal. SpiceJet had previously canceled all flights to and from Kathmandu for September 10 due to the unrest.

Other airlines, such as IndiGo, also faced disruptions and had to adjust their schedules. IndiGo announced the resumption of its flights to and from Kathmandu after the reopening of the airport and advised customers to check their flight status.

Unfortunately, this isn't the first time SpiceJet passengers have had to endure uncomfortable conditions due to AC malfunctions. In July 2025, a SpiceJet flight was delayed due to an air-conditioning system failure while passengers were boarding. The aircraft remained on the ground for an extended period with no active air-conditioning, causing distress to passengers. In June 2024, passengers on a SpiceJet flight from Delhi to Darbhanga alleged that they had to wait inside the aircraft without air conditioning for over an hour amid a heatwave.

Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has highlighted the measures being taken to support travelers affected by the airport closure in Nepal. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in coordination with Air India and IndiGo, has arranged additional flights.