Patna: A SpiceJet flight en route from Delhi to Patna was forced to return to Delhi Airport on Thursday morning after experiencing a technical malfunction, officials confirmed. Flight SG497, carrying around 160 passengers, had to turn back near Faridabad as a precautionary measure.
The airline said the pilot decided to return to ensure passenger safety, amid a sudden technical issue that arose shortly after takeoff. All passengers disembarked safely once the plane landed.
SpiceJet has begun arranging alternative travel for the affected passengers, many of whom were travelling to Patna to celebrate the Chhath festival. The timing of the disruption coincides with the peak festival season, when trains and flights to Bihar are already overcrowded, compounding the inconvenience.
The airline emphasised that passenger safety remains its top priority, and the aircraft will undergo inspection before it is cleared to fly again. Passengers, however, expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of timely information and coordination from the airline.
