NEW DELHI- Air India Express (IX) passengers faced outrage after an AC failure on flight IX-1128 from Delhi (DEL) to Bhubaneswar (BBI) caused passenger distress.
The airline, Air India Express (IX), attributed the issue to limited power during boarding, sparking safety concerns.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalAir India Express Flight AC Issues
On May 11, 2025, Air India Express (IX) flight IX1128, departing Delhi (DEL) at 3:55 p.m. for Bhubaneswar (BBI), encountered a critical air conditioning failure, leaving 180 passengers in extreme heat for nearly 2 hours.
A Passenger, Tusharkant Rout, complained on a LinkedIn post, and it went viral. Rout’s photos showed passengers removing shirts, fanning themselves with magazines, and drinking water to cope, with one traveller’s health deteriorating significantly, requiring crew attention.
Despite multiple complaints, the issue persisted until the aircraft began its descent into Bhubaneswar (BBI), highlighting a failure to address the crisis mid-flight.
Photo- Air India Express (Facebook)About the Post
Rout described the situation as “serious and critical,” urging Air India Express (IX) to prioritise preventing future incidents. The post sparked widespread criticism, with users citing similar experiences.
The incident, affecting a Boeing 737-800, raised questions about pre-flight safety checks, as passengers endured cabin temperatures estimated at 35°C.
Air India Express (IX), operating 80 daily flights from Delhi (DEL), faced scrutiny for recurring service lapses, with a similar AC failure reported on a Pune (PNQ) to Jaipur (JAI) flight on April 30, 2025.
AIX Response
Air India Express (IX) responded to Rout’s LinkedIn post, apologising for the discomfort but attributing the AC issue to operational constraints.
The airline stated that cabin AC may feel less effective during boarding and taxiing due to open doors and limited auxiliary power unit (APU) capacity, becoming fully functional post-takeoff.
The airline committed to improving services but provided no details on immediate actions or compensation.
The airline’s clarification, viewed as evasive by LinkedIn users, fueled calls for stricter oversight, with one commenter noting Air India Express (IX) risks losing loyal customers if issues persist.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalSafety Concerns
The DGCA has not issued a public statement, but the post urged regulatory action, citing a pattern of incidents, including the April 30 Pune (PNQ) flight, where a passenger fell ill.
The health emergency on IX1128, though resolved without hospitalisation, underscored the need for robust in-flight medical support, with only basic first aid available, per crew training standards.
LinkedIn users highlighted selective accountability, noting swift penalties for minor passenger violations but leniency for airlines neglecting basic services.
Passenger trust, vital for Air India Express’ 15% revenue growth target, per CAPA, is at risk, with social media amplifying complaints.
The airline’s apology, while prompt, lacked actionable commitments. The incident underscores the need for stricter enforcement to ensure passenger safety across India’s 150 airports.
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The post Air India Express Flight Suffers AC Failure, Sparks Passenger Outrage appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
