Passengers on a Ryanair flight from Malta to Birmingham began losing consciousness after spending more than an hour trapped inside an overheated aircraft on August 17.
The incident occurred in the morning at Malta International Airport after a series of delays left travelers exposed to high temperatures, according to a report by the New York Post.
Travelers were initially boarded onto a shuttle bus to transfer them from the airport terminal to the aircraft. However, due to a delay in the departure schedule, passengers spent about half an hour inside the stuffy vehicle before finally being permitted to board the plane.
Upon boarding the airliner, passengers immediately discovered that the aircraft air conditioning system was not functioning. The cabin quickly became extremely hot, causing travelers to sweat profusely as soon as they took their seats.
Passengers Suffer in Stifling Cabin
Conditions inside the cabin rapidly deteriorated as the plane remained parked on the ground. Passengers soon began losing consciousness due to the intense heat, and several individuals vomited.
Despite the medical distress among travelers, the cabin crew did not distribute drinking water or attempt to resolve the ventilation problem. Passengers remained trapped inside the sweltering aircraft for more than an hour as the departure continued to be delayed.
The lack of assistance drew sharp criticism from those on board, with one female passenger complaining that Ryanair was a disgusting company.
Background and Related Incidents
Ryanair is a Dublin-based budget airline operating low-cost flights across Europe, including popular Mediterranean routes connecting Malta with regional destinations in the United Kingdom such as Birmingham Airport. Malta International Airport serves as the primary international gateway for the Mediterranean island nation.
The disruption follows a similar event where more than 100 passengers on an Emirates flight were stranded inside a plane for 10 hours. In that instance, a passenger fainted from the heat after the cabin air conditioning system broke down.
