Mon Dec 30 14:21:57 UTC 2024: ## Prominent Economist Complains of IndiGo Flight Without Air Conditioning
**Bengaluru, December 29, 2024** – Mohandas Pai, a renowned economist and former Infosys CFO, publicly criticized IndiGo Airlines for alleged poor passenger treatment after experiencing a flight from Bengaluru to Coimbatore without air conditioning. Pai, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), described sitting on flight 6E 7407 on a hot tarmac with the air conditioning inactive. He stated the system was only switched on after passengers protested, prompting him to call for a change in IndiGo’s protocols.
Pai’s post, which tagged IndiGo, the airline’s CEO Ram Menon, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), generated significant online response. Many users shared similar experiences highlighting concerns about IndiGo’s apparent reluctance to use auxiliary power units (APUs) to power ground air conditioning, citing potential risks to vulnerable passengers like the elderly and infants. Some users even sarcastically commented on the airline’s alleged cost-cutting measures at the expense of passenger comfort.
In response, an IndiGo official explained that their actions aligned with standard operating procedures (SOPs). The official noted that ATR aircraft, like the one in question, primarily rely on engine power for air conditioning, which is unavailable while the plane is on the ground. Unlike larger aircraft, ATRs generally lack a dedicated APU to power the AC system during ground delays.
The incident has sparked a wider discussion about passenger rights and airline responsibilities regarding ground delays and passenger comfort. One user highlighted the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations mandating accommodation, food, and water for passengers in case of significant flight delays. The incident underscores the ongoing debate about the balance between cost-saving measures and ensuring adequate passenger comfort and safety.
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