Air India gets show cause notice for 20-hour flight delay after passengers reportedly faint without AC

The Aviation Ministry issued a notice to Air India on Friday (May 31) after a 20-hour delay on a Delhi-San Francisco flight.Passenger earlier claimed that some people fainted inside the aircraft, which lacked air conditioning, following a delay on Thursday (May 30).

The flight to San Francisco, which was supposed to have departed on Thursday afternoon, is rescheduled for 11 a.m Friday (May 31), after a delay of more than 20 hours.

Shweta Punj, a journalist, in a post on X, said, "flight - AI 183 was delayed by over eight hours, and passengers were made to board the plane and sit without air-conditioning" at Delhi airport.

Later the passengers were asked to exit the plane after some of them fainted, she added.

Punj said in the post on X, "If there is a privatisation story that has failed it is Air India. DGCA [aviation regulator] AI 183 flight has been delayed for over eight hours, passengers were made to board the plane without air-conditioning, and then deplaned after some people fainted in the flight. This is inhuman.”

If there is a privatisation story that has failed it is @airindia @DGCAIndia AI 183 flight has been delayed for over 8 hours , passengers were made to board the plane without air conditioning, and then deplaned after some people fainted in the flight.This is inhuman! @JM_Scindia pic.twitter.com/86KpaOAbgb — Shweta Punj (@shwwetapunj) May 30, 2024

The Air India X handle responded to her saying, "Dear Ms. Punj, we truly regret to note the disruptions.

"Please be rest assured that our team is actively working to address the delay and appreciate your ongoing support and understanding. We are also alerting our team to provide necessary assistance to the passengers."

It is worth mentioning that Delhi is experiencing a severe heatwave, with the temperature reaching a record 50 degree Celsius.

Many X users shared pictures showing many other passengers including children sitting on the floor, some having taken off their shoes, appearing exhausted.

If there is a privatisation story that has failed it is @airindia @DGCAIndia AI 183 flight has been delayed for over 8 hours , passengers were made to board the plane without air conditioning, and then deplaned after some people fainted in the flight.This is inhuman! @JM_Scindia pic.twitter.com/86KpaOAbgb — Shweta Punj (@shwwetapunj) May 30, 2024

Notably, In January, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued guidelines to handle chaotic circumstances after a huge rush was seen due to fog at Delhi airport.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding "facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, flight cancellations, and flight delays," airlines have the authority to cancel flights that are expected to be delayed or "consequently delayed" beyond three hours.

The DGCA has mandated that all airlines must adhere to this SOP without delay.

(With inputs from agencies)