A Jaipur-based woman, Aarzoo Sethi, a dietitian and nutrition consultant, has publicly criticized Air India Express for an incident involving Flight IX196. According to Sethi, passengers were subjected to a distressing ordeal, remaining on board the aircraft for over five hours without air conditioning. The flight, scheduled from Jaipur to Dubai, was reportedly plagued by a lack of crew interaction and communication, leaving passengers, including children, in a sweltering environment.
Sethi’s account, documented in a viral Instagram video, depicts the passengers’ discomfort and frustration. The video shows individuals visibly sweating and attempting to cool themselves, with no assistance forthcoming from the crew despite repeated attempts to seek help. Sethi highlighted the distress of her three-year-old son, emphasizing the lack of responsiveness from the airline.
In her video, Sethi questioned the airline’s silence and lack of updates during the prolonged wait. She emphasized the absence of any communication, which she considered unacceptable, especially given the evident distress experienced by the passengers. Sethi’s video caption stated that they were stranded on the flight for over five hours with no air conditioning, no communication, and zero assistance from the crew. Sethi has called this incident a “serious safety lapse” and has urged the airline to address the situation.
Air India Express has not yet issued any official statement regarding the incident.