New Delhi: Passengers at Indira Gandhi International Airport experienced a harrowing ordeal on Saturday after Air India flight AI-2515, bound for Indore, was cancelled due to a persistent technical glitch. The situation escalated when the aircraft, which was scheduled to depart at 12:10 p.m., was held on the runway for an extended period without air conditioning. In the sweltering heat, the closed cabin became unbearable, causing several passengers to report physical distress and deteriorating health conditions.
The trouble began even before boarding, as the airline reportedly changed the departure gate twice, leading to confusion and frustration among the travelers. After finally boarding, the aircraft moved to the runway but failed to receive technical clearance. Witnesses reported that the AC was shut off while the plane sat idle on the tarmac. With no clear communication from the crew and no relief from the heat, passengers began protesting inside the aircraft, eventually forcing the pilot to return the plane to the terminal.
Upon deplaning, the situation turned into a full-scale protest at the airport. Passengers gathered to chant slogans against Air India, accusing the carrier of gross negligence and irresponsible behaviour. While the airline initially suggested the flight might depart by 5:00 p.m., it was ultimately cancelled, leaving many stranded. Travelers are now demanding full refunds and alternative arrangements, citing a total lack of transparency from the ground staff.
The disruption has also had a ripple effect on the return leg. Shalin Jain, a passenger booked on the return flight AI-2516 from Indore to Delhi, took to social media to express his frustration, noting that his 2:15 p.m. departure was pushed back repeatedly in 30-minute increments to 6:00 p.m. before the operational collapse became apparent. As of Saturday evening, a large group of angry passengers remains at the Delhi airport, insisting on immediate compensation for the mental and physical exhaustion caused by the delay.
