Passengers onboard an IndiGo flight from Vadodara to Delhi faced a power disruption on Sunday night after a technical problem with the aircraft’s ground power supply left the cabin without electricity and air conditioning for nearly half an hour.
IndiGo Vadodara-Delhi flight hit by 30-minute power disruption (Screengrab from X@SamSiff)
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The incident took place on IndiGo flight 6E 657, which was scheduled to depart from Vadodara at 8.40 pm on Sunday, May 17. Around 160 passengers had already boarded the aircraft when the ground power unit (GPU), which supplies electricity to parked aircraft, stopped functioning before take-off, news agency PTI reported.
Cabin plunged into darkness
According to an airport official, the aircraft was relying on the GPU for electrical supply at the time when the system developed a fault.
It took engineers around 12 to 15 minutes to fix the technical glitch. Another 15 minutes were required to fully restore power to the aircraft.
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“During these 30 minutes, there was complete darkness in the cabin, and with the AC also not functioning, the passengers were sweating badly,” the official said.
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“During these 30 minutes, there was complete darkness in the cabin, and with the AC also not functioning, the passengers were sweating badly,” the official said.
Passengers remained seated inside the aircraft throughout the disruption.
Flight delayed by over an hour
Data available on flight tracking website flightradar24.com showed that the flight, originally scheduled for departure at 8.40 pm, finally took off at around 10 pm, resulting in a delay of nearly 1 hour and 20 minutes.
What IndiGo said
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After the disruption IndiGo's spokesperson said, "IndiGo flight 6E 657 operating from Vadodara to Delhi on 17 May, 2026 was delayed due to a technical snag. The issue was promptly resolved and the aircraft proceeded to its destination soon thereafter. Customers were kept informed throughout the delay and our teams did their best to minimise their discomfort. We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers and appreciate their patience and understanding. At IndiGo, the safety and comfort of our customers and crew remain our top priority.”
What is a GPU?
A ground power unit, or GPU, is equipment used to provide electricity to an aircraft while it is parked at the airport gate. It powers systems such as cabin lights, avionics and air conditioning without requiring the aircraft’s engines or onboard generators to run.
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.
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Home/India News/No light, no AC, sweating passengers: IndiGo Vadodara-Delhi flight hit by 30-minute power disruption
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