Citing unruly behaviour by the 180 passengers on board, Air India suspended a Chennai-bound flight from Mumbai on Monday evening. The flight, scheduled for departure at 6:40 pm began taxiing, but had to abort take-off because of a technical snag.

While the airline’s engineers worked on the problem, the air-conditioners were switched off for almost two hours. The flight did not take off until 10 pm.

The passengers complained that it was hot and suffocating inside the aircraft. “It was unbearable. Every time we complained, the crew promised that the problem would be solved soon,” said a passenger requesting anonymity.

Women, children and senior citizens booked on the flight were especially troubled by the incident. “My wife was feeling nauseated but the crew did not offer any help,” said another flier.

Jitendra Bhargava, spokesperson, Air India, blamed passengers for the chaos.“The aircraft was ready for take off when some passengers became unruly forcing the plane to return to the bay.”

He added, “The commander had made an announcement that the air conditioner would be normal once the aircraft is airborne and the engines are on full power.”

Later, the airline crew escorted the passengers to the terminal but did not give any information on whether the airline will operate the flight or the passengers will be accommodated in a hotel. “We can neither go home nor reach our destination,” another passenger complained.

Bhargava said the airline was trying to arrange for an alternative aircraft.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) took charge of the passenger lounge because some fliers were ‘visibly aggressive’. “Many of them were upset because they would miss connecting flights from Chennai because of the delay,” said a senior CISF official requesting anonymity.