Dubai-Bound SpiceJet Flight From Madurai Makes Emergency Landing in Chennai After Mid-Air Technical Snag

Chennai: A Dubai-bound SpiceJet flight (SG23) from Madurai made an emergency landing at Chennai airport on Monday after a suspected technical malfunction mid-air, according to reports.

The aircraft, which was carrying 160 passengers and seven crew members, landed safely following the emergency diversion. The airline has not yet issued an official statement, but India Today reported that a technical snag was suspected during the flight.

Airport authorities in Chennai confirmed that the situation was handled under standard emergency procedures, with fire and medical teams on standby. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.

⚠️ Recent SpiceJet Incidents

The latest incident adds to a string of mid-air technical issues involving SpiceJet aircraft in recent months.

• In September, a Delhi-bound flight from Pune had to turn back after a technical glitch, landing under full emergency conditions.
• Last Thursday, a Patna-bound flight from Delhi returned to its origin shortly after takeoff when the crew reported a similar technical problem.
• Earlier, in October, a SpiceJet Q400 aircraft en route from Kandla to Mumbai declared a full emergency after losing an outer wheel mid-air.

In all cases, passengers and crew were reported safe, but these repeated incidents have raised questions about the airline’s maintenance and safety oversight.

🛫 SpiceJet’s Financial Struggles

The airline is currently battling severe financial distress, with more than half of its fleet grounded.

According to reports by the Economic Times, only 21 of its 54 aircraft are operational, while its domestic market share has fallen to an all-time low of 1.9%.

As of June 2025, SpiceJet’s free cash reserves stood at around ₹333 crore, much of which has been allocated to statutory dues such as GST, TDS, and employee provident fund contributions.

Industry experts say the shrinking fleet and liquidity crunch are limiting the airline’s ability to maintain regular operations and compete effectively with rivals such as IndiGo and Air India.

✈️ Background

SpiceJet, once among India’s fastest-growing budget airlines, has been plagued by financial and regulatory challenges over the past few years. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has repeatedly placed the carrier under enhanced safety monitoring following frequent reports of technical malfunctions and flight disruptions.

As investigations into the latest Chennai incident begin, experts say the outcome will likely determine the next course of regulatory action against the airline.