‘Too hot and humid’: SpiceJet flight returns to bay as 100+ flyers refuse to fly over faulty AC

PUNE: More than 100 passengers travelling from Delhi to Pune on a SpiceJet flight (SG-105) refused to continue their journey due to excessive heat and humidity inside the cabin, allegedly caused by a faulty air-conditioning system.A passenger told TOI that the flight was scheduled to depart from Delhi at 9.30 pm on Tuesday but was delayed until 11.30 pm.“As we entered the aircraft and took our seats, we realised it was very hot and humid, and the ACs were not working. We remained patient because, in many cases, the air-conditioning is turned up after the aircraft starts taxiing following gate closure. However, that didn’t happen, and the air-conditioning was not switched on even after the aircraft began taxiing on the runway, around 40-45 minutes later,” the passenger said.By then, many passengers were feeling suffocated and unwell due to the heat. When they asked the cabin crew to switch on the AC, they were allegedly told to remain quiet and stay seated.“By then, many passengers were angry as they were sweating profusely and feeling unwell. There were some expectant mothers on board, and a few passengers were on the verge of collapsing. The passengers got out of their seats and asked the crew to abort the take-off, demanding that the aircraft doors be opened immediately,” the passenger said.The aircraft then halted its movement and returned to one of the bays.“Passengers continued shouting and protesting, and the crew eventually opened the doors and allowed them to disembark. Many protested while on the tarmac, and some female passengers had to be taken to the terminal building in wheelchairs as they were feeling dizzy and unwell after being exposed to the heat and poor ventilation for more than an hour,” the passenger added.Another flight was arranged, which departed from Delhi at around 5.30 am on Wednesday and landed in Pune at around 7 am.“On August 11 SpiceJet flight SG 105, scheduled to operate from Delhi to Pune, encountered a last-minute technical issue. An alternate aircraft was arranged, and the flight subsequently operated to Pune. SpiceJet deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to the passengers,” a SpiceJet spokesperson told TOI.