IndiGo passengers 'suffocate' on board Delhi-bound flight without AC, lights for 30 minutes: Video

IndiGo passengers on board a Vadodara to Delhi flight witnessed something unusual, a power cut while all passengers were seated and the plane was preparing to take off. The journey turned gloomy as darkness fell on IndiGo flight 6E 657, scheduled to depart Vadodara on Sunday, May 17 at 8:40 pm.

According to a PTI report, a total of 160 passengers had already boarded the plane when the ground power unit (GPU) failed, leaving the flight stifling, sweaty and dark in the summer heat. Moments before takeoff, the GPU), which supplies electricity to parked aircraft, stopped working. The plane’s air conditioning system also stopped working due to the power outage.

Reaction on social networks

A social media user shared a video of the incident on X. Describing the ordeal of the passengers on board in Hindi, he said: “Due to a technical fault of Indigo flight 6E 657 at Vadodara airport, the lights went out before take-off. It was dark for about half an hour. Passengers can be seen fanning themselves with the flight flyer.”

Describing how suffocating it was to be inside the plane, the user said: “Indigo flight 6e657 from Baroda to Delhi had no power for the last 45-50 minutes. Now there is light but no currents. People are suffocating inside and the crew is not allowing to disembark or open the doors.”

Another user said: “Power failure on IndiGo 6E 657 at Vadodara Airport. Passengers stranded without AC, lights or ventilation for 30 minutes on ground.”

How long did it take to restore power to the aircraft

It took about thirty minutes from fixing the technical fault to fully restoring power to the aircraft. It took almost 12 to 15 minutes for the technical experts to locate and fix the fault. On May 17, Vadodara witnessed an intense heat wave with maximum temperatures hovering around 43.6 degrees Celsius, adding to the discomfort of passengers.

During the time the system experienced the glitch, the plane was relying on the GPU as a source of electrical power, according to an airport official. “During these 30 minutes, the cabin was completely dark and as the air conditioner was also not working, the passengers were sweating profusely,” officials told PTI.

While all passengers on board remained seated inside the plane throughout the disruption, data available on flight-tracking website flightradar24.com showed the flight was delayed by more than an hour. The flight was originally supposed to leave for Delhi at 8:40 PM but finally took off around 10:00 PM. The delay thus extended to almost 1 hour and 20 minutes.

What did IndiGo say about the recent outage?

Clarifying the disruption, an IndiGo spokesperson said in a statement: “IndiGo flight 6E 657 flying from Vadodara to Delhi on 17 May 2026 was delayed due to a technical snag. The issue was resolved immediately and the aircraft proceeded to its destination soon after.”

The spokesperson added: “Customers were kept informed throughout the delay and our teams did everything possible to minimize their inconvenience. We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers and appreciate their patience and understanding. At IndiGo, the safety and comfort of our customers and crew remains our top priority.”