SpiceJet Passenger Stuck in Lavatory Mid-Air, Full Refund Offered

New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) In an unfortunate mid-air incident on Tuesday, a SpiceJet passenger was stuck inside an aircraft lavatory for around an hour due to malfunctioning of the door lock.

The incident occurred onboard the flight from Mumbai to Bengaluru on Tuesday, and the airline is providing a full refund to the passenger, according to a SpiceJet spokesperson.

An official said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is looking into the incident.

The airline has apologised for the inconvenience caused to the passenger.

Soon after landing at the Bengaluru airport, an engineer opened the lavatory door and the passenger came out.

Details about the passenger could not be immediately ascertained.

"On 16 January, a passenger unfortunately got stuck inside the lavatory for about an hour on SpiceJet flight operating from Mumbai to Bengaluru, while the aircraft was airborne, due to a malfunction in the door lock.

"Throughout the journey, our crew provided assistance and guidance to the passenger. Upon arrival, an engineer opened the lavatory door, and the passenger received immediate medical support," the spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.

The spokesperson also said the passenger is being provided a full refund.

Meanwhile, there have been complaints from passengers about not getting ticket refunds for flights that were cancelled in December.

When asked about the complaints, a SpiceJet spokesperson said all refunds against flights cancelled in December 2023 or before that have been processed by the airline.

"It is imperative to note that refund processing is directed to the source of the booking. For passengers booking through travel agents or portals, the refunds are processed to the respective travel agent," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Some passengers have taken to social media flagging about the delay in getting the refunds from SpiceJet.

In a recent post on X, designer Shivi Pal said she was yet to get the refund for the ticket booked on SpiceJet flight from Varanasi that was cancelled on December 27, 2023.

"Wishing you all an Unhappy New Year with #spicejet. It has been almost 14 days since 27th December when my Spicejet flight from Varanasi airport was cancelled at night & till now no refund has been received inspite of groundstaff taking passenger details," she said in the post on January 11.