SpiceJet passengers protest after AC failure delays Delhi-Pune flight
Passengers Stage Protest as SpiceJet Flight Faces AC Malfunction
Bharatmorningnews.com – Over a hundred travelers aboard a SpiceJet service traveling from Delhi to Pune experienced significant distress on Tuesday evening. Shortly after boarding commenced, the aircraft developed an air-conditioning malfunction that left the cabin unbearably warm and humid for several hours.
Passenger Accounts of the Incident
Leshpal Javalge, one of the passengers who voiced concerns at Delhi airport, explained that difficulties began once travelers boarded near 10:30 pm. Initially, many assumed the cooling system would activate normally after a brief delay. However, after approximately thirty minutes, the interior temperature rose considerably. With the plane fully occupied and doors sealed, humidity levels became intolerable.
Initially, we thought the AC would take some time to start, as sometimes happens after boarding. But nearly half an hour had passed, and the cabin had become extremely hot.
Javalge noted that vulnerable travelers—including young children, senior citizens, and expectant mothers—faced particular hardship during the ordeal. According to his account, flight crew members initially promised that the cooling mechanism would engage within minutes. Yet when activation finally occurred, another issue emerged.
They told us that they would start the AC and fix everything within two minutes. But when they switched it on, hot air started coming directly from the blowers. Instead of cooling the cabin, it became even hotter. It literally felt like a gas chamber inside the aircraft.
Escalation and Resolution
Despite mounting discomfort, ground operations proceeded with moving the aircraft toward the runway around 11 pm. This decision triggered stronger objections from travelers who refused to board under such conditions.
The aircraft was taken towards the runway even though the problem had not been properly resolved. We started protesting and told them that we did not want to travel in that aircraft. We asked them to change the flight. We were not prepared to take a risk with our lives.
Passengers expressed frustration over inadequate responses from airline representatives. Many questioned why they remained seated in the same plane despite the technical malfunction. Rather than providing clear explanations, staff members urged travelers to remain seated and avoid creating disturbances.
The situation intensified as passengers insisted on a different aircraft. Eventually, airline officials summoned their technical team for an inspection. Following the assessment, officials announced that a replacement plane would be arranged.
After we protested, they called the technical team. The team checked the aircraft, and then the airline officials told us that the aircraft would have to be changed.
Travelers disembarked approximately at midnight and waited outside for roughly three hours. While water was provided, the extended wait proved exhausting. Many had anticipated arriving in Pune during nighttime hours but instead spent considerable time at the terminal.
Airline Response and Additional Perspectives
The replacement service departed around 5 am, marking a delay of nearly seven hours from the original 9:55 pm scheduled departure time.
In an official communication, a SpiceJet representative addressed the incident: “On August 11, 2026, 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. The air conditioning remained operational throughout. Due to prevailing weather conditions in Delhi, some passengers may have experienced discomfort. SpiceJet deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to the passengers.”
Another unnamed passenger emphasized that safety concerns, rather than mere delay, fueled the protest. The traveler noted that the aircraft had already begun moving toward the runway when passengers raised their objections.
The aircraft had already been taken towards the runway. We kept thinking, what if it had taken off? Who would have taken responsibility if something had gone wrong? Passenger safety should have been the priority.
Javalge also observed a significant presence of CISF security personnel throughout the protest. A fellow traveler highlighted that poor communication compounded the frustration, particularly given the presence of children and elderly passengers inside the overheated cabin.
The biggest problem was that nobody was telling us what had gone wrong. We were sitting inside an extremely hot aircraft with children and elderly people around us. When we questioned the staff, we did not get a satisfactory response.
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