Passengers bake as AC on Air India flight fails

AHMEDABAD: Around 100 passengers of an Ahmedabad-bound Air India flight from Mumbai had a trying time when the flight's airconditioning stopped working. The passengers later created a ruckus at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. AI-643 was supposed to fly at 5.50pm from Mumbai on Wednesday, but was delayed by over one hour. "Ever since we boarded the flight, the airconditioner was not working. The staff told us that once the flight is on the runway, the AC will start but till the flight landed at Ahmedabad it did not function," said Hemant Shah, a passenger. A three-year-old child, Vansh Jain, had a tough time as he was travelling with his parents after a heart surgery from Mumbai and the non-working AC worsened his condition. The passengers lodged a complaint with the Air India officials. "The pilot of the aircraft was very stubborn in his reaction when we complained to him about the AC," added Shah. Air India officials said that the AC was working at 50% of its efficiency and the problem was sorted at Ahmedabad airport. "The AC was working but not at its full capacity. Since it was so hot, AC could not cool the aircraft. The issue has been solved," said an Air India official. The same flight later took off for Muscat from Ahmedabad after the technical issues were cleared.   TOI