Several passengers on an Air India flight from Delhi to San Francisco reportedly fainted due to a lack of air conditioning during an eight-hour delay on May 31st. Passengers took to social media to share their ordeal, highlighting that they were made to board and wait on the aircraft without air conditioning. Eventually, after some passengers fainted, they were deplaned at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. This incident coincided with an intense heatwave in Delhi, where temperatures soared to nearly 50 degrees Celsius.
Journalist Shweta Punj recounted on social media that passengers of flight AI183 were made to board and wait on the aircraft without air conditioning. She emphasized that this situation led to several passengers fainting, prompting their deplaning. Punj expressed disappointment in the airline’s handling of the situation, questioning the privatization of Air India and the lack of accountability.
Air India responded to the complaint, expressing regret and assuring passengers that they were working to address the delay and provide necessary assistance. Another user, Abhishek Sharma, urged the airline to take swift action, highlighting that his parents and many others were stranded at the boarding area for an extended period without access to essential amenities.
In a similar incident last week, a Mumbai-San Francisco flight was delayed by 18 hours due to a technical glitch, resulting in a passenger falling ill. The airline provided hotel accommodation, complimentary rescheduling, and refreshments to affected passengers during the delay. This incident underscores the need for airlines to prioritize passenger safety and comfort, particularly during unforeseen circumstances.
