Passengers on a SpiceJet flight bound for Pune were left gasping for air after an alleged aircon failure turned the cabin into a sweltering hotbox before take-off. Video footage from within the cabin depicts distressed passengers shouting and desperately fanning themselves.
Passengers panic as cabin heats up
One passenger can be heard yelling in Hindi: "Tell them to open the gate! Otherwise I'll break it down." Another is heard begging a flight attendant to let him step outside "for just one minute".
Traveller Leshpal Javalge told local press: "The flight was scheduled for 9.55pm, but we boarded at around 10.30pm. Initially, we thought the AC would take some time to start, as sometimes happens after boarding. But nearly half an hour passed and the cabin became extremely hot."
Passengers describe 'gas chamber' conditions
Javalge continued: "The aircraft was completely full and, with the doors closed, the heat and humidity became unbearable. We were drenched in sweat. There were 150 passengers on the flight and no AC or ventilation. There were pregnant women, children and elderly passengers onboard. Everyone was scared for their lives. Children began to cry."
Describing the cabin as a "gas chamber", Javalge added: "A pregnant woman started feeling breathless and was about to faint. We raised the alarm that she would die if she was not attended to immediately."
Passengers try to open door, flight delayed
Passengers resorted to using newspapers, magazines and safety cards from their seat pockets to fan themselves and others. Some pleaded with the crew to open the doors, but the captain reportedly seemed eager to get the plane airborne. Tensions escalated when some passengers tried to open the aircraft's main door themselves, despite the boarding ladder having already been removed.
Eventually, the passengers' demands were met and they were permitted to disembark, as reported by NeedToKnow. However, they were instructed to reboard just 20 minutes later, according to reports. The plane then reportedly sat on the runway for approximately two hours, with no refreshments provided, leading passengers to demand a change of aircraft. Eventually, a technical team arrived, identified the problem and recommended switching the aircraft.
Flight finally departs after seven-hour delay
The 2h 10min flight finally departed at 5am on Wednesday (August 12), more than seven hours after its scheduled departure time.
A spokesperson for SpiceJet stated: "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. SpiceJet deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to the passengers."
