Mid-Day

Mumbai, Mar 13: Nearly 100 passengers of an Air Sahara flight to New Delhi were locked in the aircraft for more than an hour due to a technical snag resulting in passengers feeling suffocated inside the plane.

Later, 10 of them had to be taken to the airport medical room for examination, but doctors let them go after making them do some breathing exercises.

Airport sources said, the passengers had boarded the aircraft before midnight on Sunday.

An airport official said, “The aircraft, which was already delayed by a couple of hours, was re-scheduled to leave around midnight.

The plane was getting ready for take off. However, just before departure, a problem was detected.

The pilot had to put off the air-conditioning and most of the lights to fix it.” The passengers were asked to remain inside the aircraft for one hour. Some of them became restless and began hurling abuses.

Fearing damage to the plane, the airline’s officials de-planed them. Airport official added, “Angry passengers squatted on the tarmac and refused to move back to the terminal building.

They shouted slogans. Some complained of suffocation and chest pain and were taken for examination.” The official further said, “None of the passengers were serious and those who were taken for examination were made to do simple breathing exercises, after which, they were let off. The plane finally took off at 2.15 am on Monday.”