SpiceJet Passengers Force Delhi-Pune Flight SG-105 To Return After 'Suffocating' Heat in Cabin; Videos Surface

More than 100 passengers aboard a SpiceJet flight from Delhi to Pune refused to continue their journey on Tuesday night, citing extreme heat and humidity caused by a faulty air-conditioning system. The incident involving flight SG-105 occurred at Indira Gandhi International Airport, where passengers reported that the cabin temperature became unbearable shortly after boarding. The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 9:30 PM on August 11, remained grounded as frustrations mounted among travellers, including families with children and elderly passengers.

'Suffocating' Conditions on Board

According to passenger accounts, the air conditioning failed to activate even after the aircraft began taxiing toward the runway, roughly 40 to 45 minutes after the doors closed. As temperatures inside the cabin soared, many passengers reported feeling dizzy, drenched in sweat, and struggling to breathe. SpiceJet Fined INR 1 Lakh for Using ‘Dark Patterns’ on Flight Booking Platform.

SpiceJet Passenger Shares Ordeal

हे दिल्लीहून पुण्याला जाणारे स्पाइसजेटचे विमान होते. विमानामध्ये आबालवृद्धांसह लहान मुलं देखील होती. या विमानात बसल्यानंतर विमानातील तापमान अचानक प्रचंड वाढलं. तापमान एवढं वाढत गेलं की लोकांना सहन होईना. सगळे घामाने ओले झाले होते. लोकांना श्वास घ्यायला खूप जास्त त्रास व्हायला… pic.twitter.com/jVYTEMcFNv

— Leshpal_speaks (@Leshpal_speaks) August 11, 2026

"After boarding the flight, the temperature inside the aircraft suddenly shot up dramatically. The temperature rose so much that people couldn’t bear it. Everyone was drenched in sweat. People started facing a lot of difficulty even breathing,” one passenger shared on social media. The passenger also said that the captain and others started yelling back at the passengers and even threatened to call the police just to shut them up.

Travellers alleged that when they requested the crew to address the ventilation issues, they were initially told to remain seated and quiet. With some passengers reportedly on the verge of collapsing, the situation escalated until travellers stood up to demand that the flight be aborted and the doors opened. The aircraft subsequently returned to the parking bay, where passengers were allowed to disembark; some required wheelchair assistance to reach the terminal due to exhaustion.

Airline Response

In a statement, a SpiceJet spokesperson acknowledged the mechanical failure and the resulting delay. “On August 11, 2026, SpiceJet flight SG 105, scheduled to operate from Delhi to Pune, encountered a last-minute technical issue. An alternate aircraft was arranged, and the flight subsequently operated to Pune. SpiceJet deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to the passengers,” the airline said, reports Indian Express. The replacement aircraft eventually departed Delhi around 5:30 AM on Wednesday, arriving in Pune at approximately 7:00 AM.

Recurring Concerns Over Service

This incident marks the latest in a series of complaints regarding SpiceJet’s operations on the Delhi-Pune route. Just last week, passengers on flight SG-937 reported being left without food or beverages for several hours after multiple departure delays. That flight, originally scheduled for 5:55 AM, did not take off until 8:30 a.m., causing significant distress to travellers with medical conditions. Frequent service disruptions and alleged lapses in passenger care have prompted growing calls from travellers for stricter oversight from the Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding airline accountability and safety standards.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 12, 2026 02:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).