AC failure on Dubai-bound Air India flight leaves passengers sweltering amid heatwave alert – CNBC TV18

Visuals from the flight show passengers using instruction manuals as makeshift fans in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort.

The aircraft’s crew had boarded the plane before the passengers and were reportedly aware of the malfunction. However, they proceeded with the boarding process without informing the passengers of the situation. This decision left many passengers frustrated and sweating in the stifling heat for over an hour.

One passenger onboard, Sankalp Shukla, shared visuals from the flight and expressed his frustration, stating, “It was incredibly uncomfortable. We were just sitting there, sweating and using whatever we could find to fan ourselves. They should have informed us about the problem before we boarded.”

“The onboard crew attributed the issue to GMR, the ground handling company, stating that they were responsible for plugging in the air conditioning unit and failed to do so,” Shukla added.

Also Read: Northwest India seared by scorching heat on polling day, no respite until May 28, says IMD

Despite reassurances from the staff that the air conditioning might start working post-takeoff, it remains unclear whether the system functioned after the flight finally departed at 5.30 pm, around half an hour late.

The incident occurred amid soaring temperatures in Delhi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for heat on Saturday, predicting a further increase in temperatures with a forecasted maximum of 44 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 31 degrees Celsius. On the day of the flight, the maximum temperature reached a scorching 43 degrees Celsius, exacerbating the discomfort for passengers.

Also Read: Air India announces salary hikes, new bonus schemes for pilots — all details here

In a related incident, passenger Trishali Singh Chauhan shared her frustration on social media regarding another Air India flight, stating, “Welcome to the Air India Fish market! Delayed flight, poor airport service, no AC working, de-boarded and then? Then we enter the fish market of mismanagement. Over 3 hours of waiting at your domestic counters in Delhi – denying customers to board despite your mistake, making them run relentlessly (even heart patients & senior citizens) – what happens on boarding the flight? AC doesn’t work. Close to 200 customers stranded.”

She continued, “We are now in the flight AI 835 to Ahmedabad. We have been stranded for over an hour without AC. In this scorching heat close to 45 degrees, will you take the responsibility of our lives? @RNTata2000. I am a frequent flyer and a loyal Tata supporter. Disappointed.”

This recent incident is part of a series of complaints about Air India’s service quality, despite the airline’s takeover by Tata Companies. On May 16, passengers expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, highlighting that there has been no change in service quality. “No change in service quality even after the takeover of Air India by mighty @TataCompanies. After hours of delay they don’t give any reason or solution for the situation. Passengers are struggling in extreme hot conditions in this summer,” one tweet read.

Other passengers have also reported recurring issues on the same flight. In January, a passenger remarked on the poor seat allocation and delays, saying, “Travelling with Air India flight AI 915 to Dubai today, what a mismanagement to allot the seats. Even the flight is delayed 1 hour and 30 mins. @airindia requesting you to please improve it. Sad.”

Additional complaints include delays of up to three hours, with refreshment conditions described as subpar. “Flight 915 to Dubai delayed by 3 hours, refreshment provided are open without packing and in very bad condition. Every time Air India disappoints @TataCompanies,” another tweet stated.

However, Air India has not yet issued an official statement regarding the latest incident.