📷 Image Credits: NDTV
Passengers of an Air India flight from Delhi faced an excruciating ordeal after a 16-hour delay which led to many passengers fainting due to the lack of air-conditioning on board the aircraft. The San Francisco-bound Air India flight AI 183 was initially scheduled to depart from Delhi but was rescheduled to take off at 3 pm today, 24 hours after the original departure time, as the plane had to be replaced due to operational reasons. According to Air India sources, the flight delay was caused by operational issues and flight duty time limitations. Rescheduling options and refunds were provided to the passengers affected by the delay. One passenger, Suman Arora, recounted that an elderly woman fainted on the plane due to extreme heat, highlighting the discomfort experienced by passengers. Delays resulted in passengers boarding the aircraft late in the evening without the air-conditioning functioning properly, leading to distress among passengers, with some reports of fainting inside the aircraft due to heat. As a response to the situation, DGCA issued a show cause notice to Air India for the delay of the international flights and mentioned the discomfort faced by passengers due to insufficient cooling in the cabin. DGCA noted that Air India has repeatedly failed to comply with provisions related to passenger care regarding flight delays and other issues. The notice highlighted the airline’s lack of appropriate care for passengers, prompting the regulator to consider enforcement action against Air India. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia took notice of the situation, leading to the issuance of the show cause notice by DGCA to Air India, urging the airline to explain the violations and potential consequences. The delayed flight, lack of AC, and passengers fainting inside the aircraft have shed light on the challenges faced by airline passengers and the importance of maintaining safety and comfort standards in air travel.
