Passengers stuck in Air India flight without AC for five hours
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A video capturing a chaotic scene onboard an Air India flight from Mumbai to Dubai has gone viral, amassing over 28 million views on Instagram.
The incident reportedly involved passengers being stuck inside the cabin for five hours without functioning air conditioning, leading to widespread discomfort and frustration.
The Instagram user who shared the clip described the ordeal as a "horrible experience." According to the post, the flight, originally scheduled to depart at 8:25 AM, was delayed by five hours while passengers, including toddlers and senior citizens, remained onboard in stifling conditions. With the air conditioning system not working, many began to feel suffocated.
In the video, passengers are seen out of their seats, gathering at the front of the cabin, and demanding to be let out. A man is heard shouting, "We don't trust you. We don't want to put our lives at stake. Please leave us." Others are seen banging on overhead bins, while some plead with the staff to open the doors.
Over the intercom, a crew member is heard explaining, "The aerobridge has to be connected. Please understand." However, the explanation did little to calm the passengers, who reportedly waited patiently for hours before losing their composure.
The Instagram user criticised the flight crew's handling of the situation, alleging that the captain did not come out of the cockpit to address the passengers. "High time the aviation ministry starts to handle such incidents with the strictest of actions. Why should the passengers always be on the receiving end?" the user wrote.
The viral video has sparked heated discussions online. Many users called for stricter regulations to prevent such incidents. One comment read, "There should be strict laws against making passengers wait in stuffy planes for hours. The least they can do is deboard them when there's a significant delay."
Another user expressed disbelief, stating, "Five minutes without AC feels suffocating. I really wonder how the passengers managed to survive without AC for such a long time! Must have been so traumatic!"
However, some pointed out the complexities of aviation logistics, noting that decisions to deboard are influenced by air traffic control, customs clearance, and airport policies.