CHENNAI: Around 200 passengers bound to Singapore from Chennai were stranded inside an Indigo Airlines flight that was delayed for over four hours on Tuesday morning due to the unavailability of the pilot following a technical issue with the aircraft's air-conditioning system.
Even after the issue in the air conditioning system was rectified, the 198 passengers were made to wait on the flight, which was scheduled to depart from Chennai at 7.20 am.
The 198 passengers boarded the aircraft and were seated as it prepared to taxi on the runway. However, minutes before takeoff, the air-conditioning system failed, causing cabin temperatures to rise sharply.
Passengers began raising concerns as the cabin became uncomfortable. The pilot informed the engineering team about the issue and halted further operations. As the technical issue was not fixed within his flight duty time, the pilot informed passengers that an alternate crew would be arranged once the problem was rectified and he deboarded the aircraft.
Despite the air-conditioning issue being fixed shortly afterwards, the flight could not depart immediately as a replacement pilot had not arrived, and passengers remained seated inside the aircraft for several hours, awaiting further instructions.
At this point, the air-conditioning system malfunctioned again, worsening the discomfort inside the cabin. Some frustrated passengers reportedly attempted to disembark through the open doors. However, as no ladder had been positioned at the aircraft exit, they were unable to get down.
Irate over the prolonged delay, passengers staged a sit-in protest inside the aircraft, raising slogans against the airline and demanding immediate action.
Nineteen women travelling with infants, and several elderly passengers were on board. Many experienced health discomfort due to the prolonged delay. As some passengers threatened to jump from the aircraft, the CISF arrived at the spot and held peace talks with the passengers. Later, the alternate crew arrived after 11 am, and the flight departed for Singapore at 11.40 am after a delay of four hours.
Several passengers shared videos of their ordeal on social media, drawing widespread attention. Posts circulating online claimed that under aviation safety regulations, passengers should not be kept onboard a grounded aircraft for more than two hours without proper arrangements.
Airport sources said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated an inquiry into the issue.