Passengers travelling from Delhi to Darbhanga on SpiceJet Flight SG 476 experienced discomfort and health concerns as they were made to wait inside the aircraft without air conditioning for over an hour. The incident occurred amidst the scorching heatwave prevailing in the national capital on Wednesday, highlighting yet another instance of aviation apathy.Discomfort Amidst HeatwavePassengers onboard the flight expressed their distress, with some reporting feelings of illness due to the oppressive heat inside the aircraft. A video capturing the scene showed passengers sweating profusely and resorting to makeshift fans using books and magazines in an attempt to cope with the stifling conditions.#WATCH | SpiceJet passengers travelling from Delhi to Darbhanga (SG 476) had to wait inside an aircraft without air conditioning (AC) for over an hour amid the ongoing heatwave, with several feeling unwell. pic.twitter.com/cIj2Uu1SQT— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2024Rohan Kumar, one of the affected passengers, recounted the ordeal, stating, I was travelling from Delhi to Darbhanga (SG 486) on SpiceJet. At the Delhi airport, after check-in, they did not switch on the air-conditioning (AC) for an hour. The temperature inside the plane was 40 degrees Celsius. The passengers were suffering. The air-conditioner (AC) was switched on when the flight took off.Official Response AwaitedDespite passengers voicing their concerns and discomfort, an official statement from SpiceJet regarding the incident was awaited at the time of reporting. The lack of immediate response from the airline added to the frustration of passengers who had to endure the sweltering conditions during the delay.Previous Incidents Highlight Similar ConcernsThis incident follows closely on the heels of a similar situation reported on an IndiGo flight. A flight bound for Bagdogra from Delhi faced a delay of over three hours at the Indira Gandhi International Airport due to technical issues attributed to high ground temperatures. Passengers on that flight also complained of non-functional air conditioning while the aircraft was stationed on the tarmac, further underscoring the challenges faced by passengers due to heat-related issues in aviation operations.
