Passengers aboard Air India Express flight IX1128 from Delhi to Bhubaneswar endured extreme discomfort when the aircraft’s air conditioning system malfunctioned, causing the cabin temperature to soar for nearly two hours. This incident, which occurred on May eleventh, 2025, quickly drew significant public attention and sparked serious questions about the airline’s operational standards, safety measures, and passenger welfare.
The flight, carrying 180 passengers, departed Delhi at 3:55 p.m., but shortly after boarding, the air conditioning unit failed to function properly. Temperatures inside the cabin reportedly climbed to around thirty-five degrees Celsius, forcing passengers to endure stifling heat. Many struggled to stay comfortable by removing layers of clothing, fanning themselves with magazines, and continuously drinking water. At least one passenger’s health declined noticeably during the flight, requiring crew assistance and highlighting the severity of the situation.
A detailed account of the ordeal went viral on social media, including photos showing visibly distressed passengers. The post described the conditions as “critical and alarming” and urged Air India Express to take immediate action to prevent such occurrences in the future. This sparked a widespread response, with many travelers sharing similar experiences of service shortcomings on the airline.
Despite repeated complaints throughout the flight, the air conditioning problem was only addressed as the plane began its descent into Bhubaneswar, raising concerns about the airline’s preparedness and responsiveness to in-flight emergencies.
In response, Air India Express issued a public apology for the discomfort caused but attributed the AC failure to operational limitations during boarding and taxiing. The airline explained that cabin air conditioning may not perform optimally while aircraft doors are open and the auxiliary power unit (APU) runs at reduced capacity, with full air conditioning expected only after takeoff.
However, this explanation was met with skepticism and frustration from passengers and observers alike, who called for greater transparency, accountability, and immediate corrective measures. The incident has intensified calls for stronger regulatory oversight to ensure airlines maintain proper safety and comfort standards.
This is not the first time Air India Express has faced criticism for air conditioning failures. A similar incident on April thirtieth, 2025, involved a flight from Pune to Jaipur, where passengers were subjected to extreme heat and at least one person fell ill. The recurrence of such issues points to deeper concerns about the airline’s maintenance practices and commitment to passenger safety.
While the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has yet to publicly comment on the matter, increasing public pressure highlights the urgent need for enhanced enforcement of aviation safety regulations.
The health emergency onboard also revealed gaps in current medical preparedness during flights. Crew members receive basic first aid training, which may be insufficient in handling serious medical situations caused by environmental stressors like overheating. Experts stress the importance of improving medical readiness to better protect passengers.
Critics further highlight inconsistencies in regulatory enforcement. Passengers often face harsh penalties for minor infractions, yet airlines seem to avoid consequences even when failing to provide essential services such as functioning air conditioning. This imbalance undermines consumer trust and fuels dissatisfaction.
Rebuilding passenger confidence is crucial for Air India Express as it targets ambitious growth. Industry analysts project the airline aims for around fifteen percent revenue increase, but ongoing negative publicity threatens these plans unless the carrier significantly improves service reliability and safety standards.
In conclusion, the air conditioning failure on flight IX1128 has exposed critical flaws in Air India Express’s operational management and passenger care. Although the airline apologized promptly, it has yet to present detailed plans for corrective action or compensation, intensifying demands for stricter regulatory oversight and higher service standards. Ensuring passenger comfort and safety across India’s growing aviation sector must remain a top priority to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
The post Air India Express Faces Intense Backlash After Prolonged Air Conditioning Failure Leaves Passengers Struggling with Extreme Heat and Raises Serious Safety Concerns on Delhi to Bhubaneswar Flight: New Updates Travelers Need to Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.