New Delhi: A SpiceJet flight preparing for departure from Delhi was disrupted earlier this week after the aircraft’s air-conditioning system failed while passengers were still boarding. The incident, captured on video by passengers and widely shared on social media, drew criticism over cabin preparedness and passenger handling on the ground.
Onboard Discomfort Escalates
The incident occurred on July 15 on a domestic SpiceJet flight at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. According to passenger reports and video evidence, the aircraft remained on the ground for an extended period with no active air-conditioning, leading to visibly distressed passengers.
The cabin crew reportedly made announcements asking passengers to remain seated and assured them that ground staff were working to resolve the issue. However, according to passengers on board, the delay lasted nearly 45 minutes, during which no effective cooling was provided.
Unruly Behaviour and Passenger De-boarding
As the situation escalated, two passengers were asked to deboard after allegedly arguing with the crew and attempting to approach the front galley. SpiceJet, in a brief internal report reviewed by airport sources, confirmed that the two individuals were offloaded for non-compliance with crew instructions.
Security staff and airline representatives were called to the aircraft, and the situation was resolved without further delay. The aircraft was later cleared for departure after a technical inspection and resumption of cooling systems.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not issued a public statement but is understood to be monitoring the case as part of routine oversight. A preliminary review of aircraft readiness and turnaround procedures may follow, especially given the high ambient temperatures currently prevailing across North India.
Cockpit Intrusion Incident
In a separate and unrelated incident, another SpiceJet flight (SG 9282, Delhi to Mumbai) faced disruption on July 14 when two male passengers attempted to access the cockpit while the aircraft was taxiing. The flight was brought back to the parking bay, and the individuals were handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The flight departed with a significant delay after security clearance.
