A disturbing incident occurred at Srinagar airport on July 26, when an Army officer, who was a passenger on SpiceJet flight SG-386 to Delhi, allegedly assaulted four airline employees at the boarding gate. The confrontation began when the passenger was informed that his cabin baggage exceeded the permitted weight limit of 7 kg, weighing in at 16 kg. When asked to pay the applicable charges for the excess baggage, the passenger refused and attempted to forcefully enter the aerobridge without completing the boarding process, violating aviation security protocols.
A CISF official escorted the passenger back to the gate, where he became increasingly aggressive and violent, attacking the staff members with punches, kicks, and a queue stand. One employee suffered a spinal fracture, while another suffered serious jaw injuries and collapsed unconscious on the floor. The passenger continued to assault the employee even after they had lost consciousness. Other staff members also suffered injuries, including bleeding from the nose and mouth.
The injured employees were rushed to the hospital and are undergoing treatment. SpiceJet has registered an FIR with the local police and has initiated the process to place the passenger on the no-fly list, in accordance with civil aviation regulations. The airline has also written to the civil aviation ministry, requesting appropriate action against the passenger. SpiceJet has secured the CCTV footage of the incident and handed it over to the police.
The airline strongly condemned the act of violence against its employees and stated that it will pursue the matter to its fullest legal and regulatory conclusion. The incident highlights the need for stricter measures to prevent such violent behavior against airline staff and to ensure a safe working environment for them. The airline’s decision to place the passenger on the no-fly list and to pursue legal action against him is a step in the right direction to prevent such incidents in the future.