A Srinagar-bound SpiceJet aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on Friday after a sudden, rapid descent during its approach triggered a cabin altitude warning. Despite the mid-air scare, the flight landed safely at Srinagar airport without any casualties.
The aircraft, operating as SpiceJet flight SG 385, had departed from Delhi carrying 205 passengers, including four children, along with seven crew members on board. According to flight records, the plane touched down at Srinagar airport at 3:27 pm, where all passengers and crew disembarked normally after the precautionary landing.
The incident unfolded when the aircraft experienced a drop in altitude, leading to a rise in cabin altitude levels that activated the cabin altitude warning system. This safety mechanism is designed to alert the crew when the air pressure inside the cabin falls below the required threshold. In such cases, oxygen masks are typically deployed for passengers, though in this instance, the crew acted swiftly to control the situation.
SpiceJet issued an official statement acknowledging the event. A company spokesperson said, “On August 29, 2025, SpiceJet flight SG 385 operating from Delhi to Srinagar experienced a rapid descent during approach following a rise in cabin altitude, which triggered a cabin altitude warning. The crew carried out all necessary checks in accordance with standard operating procedures, and the Captain requested priority landing as a precautionary measure. The aircraft landed safely in Srinagar, and passengers and crew disembarked normally.”
Aviation experts note that while such warnings are uncommon, they serve as a critical safeguard to ensure passenger safety by prompting the flight crew to take immediate corrective action.
This incident comes just a day after a similar emergency landing involving another Indian carrier. On Thursday, an IndiGo flight bound for Dubai was diverted to Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport after encountering a midair technical glitch. The flight had taken off from Surat at 9:30 am but was forced to land in Ahmedabad after about 90 minutes of flight. All passengers were safe, and following a two-hour delay, an alternative flight was arranged to transport them to Dubai.
The two back-to-back incidents have once again put the spotlight on airline safety and operational preparedness, though both carriers emphasized that all protocols were strictly followed and passengers were not put at risk.
