SpiceJet passengers protest after AC failure delays Delhi-Pune flight

The passengers protested after the aircraft was moved towards the runway despite the problem, prompting the airline to return it and arrange another aircraft

More than 100 passengers on a SpiceJet flight from Delhi to Pune on Tuesday were left distressed for several hours after the aircraft developed an air-conditioning problem soon after boarding, with passengers alleging that the cabin became unbearably hot and humid.

Passenger Leshpal Javalge, who was among those who protested at Delhi airport, said the trouble began after passengers boarded at around 10.30 pm. (HT)

The passengers protested after the aircraft was moved towards the runway despite the problem, prompting the airline to return it and arrange another aircraft. The replacement flight took off around 5 am, nearly seven hours after the scheduled 9.55 pm departure.

In an official statement, a SpiceJet spokesperson said, “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.”

Passenger Leshpal Javalge, who was among those who protested at Delhi airport, said the trouble began after passengers boarded at around 10.30 pm.

“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. The aircraft was full and, with the doors closed, the humidity became unbearable,” he said.

Javalge said the conditions were particularly difficult for children, elderly passengers and pregnant women.

According to Javalge, the crew initially assured passengers that the air-conditioning system would be started within a few minutes. However, when it was switched on, passengers allegedly experienced another problem.

“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,” he said.

Despite the discomfort, the aircraft was moved towards the runway at around 11 pm, prompting stronger objections from passengers.

“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,” Javalge said.

He said passengers initially did not receive satisfactory answers from airline staff.

“We kept asking them what exactly had happened and why we were being made to sit in the same aircraft. Instead of giving us a proper answer, the staff told us to sit down and not make a scene. We were asking a very simple question — if there was a technical problem, why were we being asked to continue with the same aircraft?” he said.

The protest intensified as passengers demanded that the aircraft be changed. Javalge said the airline eventually called its technical team to inspect the aircraft.

“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,” he said.

Passengers were subsequently taken off the aircraft at around 12.30 am and made to wait for several hours near it.

“We were outside the aircraft for around three hours. We were given water, but the entire situation was extremely stressful. We had boarded expecting to reach Pune during the night, but instead we were sitting at the airport for hours,” he said.

Javalge also recalled the presence of a large number of CISF personnel during the protest.

Another passenger, who did not wish to be named, said the prolonged wait and lack of clear communication added to the frustration.

“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,” the passenger said.

The passenger said the protest was driven by concerns over safety rather than the delay alone.

“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,” another passenger said.