Patna/Darbhanga: A SpiceJet flight arriving from Mumbai was forced to circle in the skies above Darbhanga for nearly an hour on Wednesday after the airport ran out of parking space, causing inconvenience to passengers and briefly disrupting flight operations.
The delay occurred when aircraft operated by Akasa Air and IndiGo, arriving from Delhi and Kolkata respectively, were already parked on the runway and apron, leaving no available slot for the incoming SpiceJet plane.
According to airport officials, the Mumbai–Darbhanga flight reached the vicinity of the airport around noon but was denied landing clearance due to the absence of parking space. With no immediate departure scheduled, the pilot was compelled to keep the aircraft airborne.
The situation eased only after an Akasa Air flight departed for Delhi at 12:58 pm, freeing up apron space. The SpiceJet aircraft was then cleared to land safely, restoring normal operations at the airport.
Passengers onboard the flight reported anxiety and discomfort during the prolonged circling, though officials confirmed that safety protocols were followed throughout.
Darbhanga airport has repeatedly faced operational challenges due to limited runway and apron capacity, particularly during peak hours when multiple flights arrive within a narrow time window.
On Wednesday, a total of 14 flights operated to and from Darbhanga, connecting the city with Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. Several flights recorded delays, while some arrived ahead of schedule, further adding to congestion.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the need for infrastructure expansion at the airport, which has seen a steady rise in passenger traffic in recent years.
