Passengers Trapped on Qatar Airways Plane for Over 3 Hours Without Air Conditioning in Nearly 100-Degree Heat

Passengers on a Qatar Airways flight from Athens, Greece, experienced a harrowing ordeal on Monday as they were trapped on the tarmac for over three hours without air conditioning. The sweltering conditions, with temperatures soaring towards 100 degrees, left many passengers dehydrated and fainting, sparking outrage over the airline's handling of the situation.

The flight, which included nearly 50 fighters returning from the IFMA World Muaythai Championships, was scheduled to depart from Athens International Airport. However, passengers were left sweating profusely as the plane idled on the tarmac with its doors closed and no air conditioning. Garth Collins, a South African sports therapist, described the scene as passengers stripped off sweat-soaked clothes and fanned themselves with airline safety packets in a desperate attempt to cool down.

"Passengers were literally dehydrating and passing out on the plane," Collins told news agency Jam Press. He shared videos of the distressing conditions, showing travelers pacing the aisles and struggling to cope with the heat.

Why It Matters : This incident highlights significant concerns about passenger safety and airline accountability. The lack of air conditioning on a packed plane in extreme heat poses serious health risks, including dehydration and heatstroke. The airline's response, or lack thereof, raises questions about their preparedness and protocols for handling such emergencies. Ensuring passenger safety should be a top priority for all airlines, and this incident underscores the need for stringent regulations and oversight.

After enduring the stifling heat for 3.5 hours, passengers were finally allowed to disembark and return to the air-conditioned terminal. However, the situation did not improve significantly. Collins reported that there was minimal communication from Qatar Airways, and passengers were left in long queues with little assistance. Many travelers missed their connecting flights out of Doha due to the delay.

Collins criticized the airline for providing only a cup of water and a small soft drink after the ordeal, calling it "completely insufficient to rehydrate an individual after the enforced sauna on the plane." He also captured footage of Muay Thai fighter Damian Collins, drenched in sweat, to illustrate the severe conditions.

Boxer Thannachai Sidsongpeenong expressed his shock at the situation but later felt grateful to have made it through. "Now I feel that I was lucky to get through that situation," he said. The delayed flight eventually arrived in Doha at 10:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, instead of the scheduled 6:20 p.m. the previous day.

Key Takeaways

• Passengers were trapped on a Qatar Airways plane for over three hours without air conditioning in nearly 100-degree heat.
• Many passengers experienced dehydration and fainting due to the extreme conditions.
• Qatar Airways provided minimal communication and assistance to stranded passengers.
• The airline offered only a cup of water and a small soft drink after the ordeal.
• The flight arrived in Doha nearly 16 hours later than scheduled, causing many to miss connecting flights.

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