NEW DELHI: An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Bagdogra on Monday was delayed for over four hours due to a technical issue, which resulted from high ground temperatures.
The flight – 6E 2521– was scheduled to depart from Delhi for Bagdogra at 2.10 pm, but it finally took off at 6.15 pm, said officials at the Delhi airport.
An airport official said, “After the boarding of 165 passengers was completed, the flight was pushed back.However, the flight developed some technical snag, which arose from high ground temperatures, and it was stuck at a taxiway. Since the flight could not move, it was brought to the parking bay with the help of a tow tractor.”
The official added that the flight later departed from IGI Airport around 6.15 pm for Bagdogra.
However, in a statement, the airline said, “IndiGo flight 6E 2521 between Delhi and Bagdogra was delayed due to high ground temperatures impeding operations. IndiGo prioritises passenger safety above all else and is taking steps to enable a prompt departure. Passengers are being provided with regular updates and we regret the inconvenience caused due to factors beyond the airline’s control.”
Passengers claimed on X (formerly called Twitter) that when the flight was stuck on the taxiway, the airconditioner was switched off for nearly an hour, which caused severe inconvenience to them.
A video shared by CNBC-TV18 on X showed a man complaining about “air-conditioner being non-operational, and the flight waiting at the taxiway.” The passenger claimed that no information was being provided by the crew.
In the same video, another passenger said his father died and it was important for him to reach Bagdogra on time as his father’s last rites would be performed at 6 pm.
The flight landed at Bagdogra airport at 7.53 pm as against the scheduled time of 4.10 pm.
Temperatures in Delhi have been continuously staying over 40 degrees Celsius since May 13. On Monday, the maximum temperature was above 45 degrees Celsius at most stations, while it was 46 degrees Celsius, seven degrees above normal, at the Delhi airport (Palam station).
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