Blue Bird passengers stuck on plane without AC: 'A nightmare, children are fainting'
A Blue Bird flight to Crete scheduled for 14:00 was delayed at the airport, leaving passengers stuck inside the aircraft on the ground for about an hour and a half. Air conditioning was minimal despite the intense August heat. Some passengers called the police and banged on the cockpit door until a door was opened for ventilation. Blue Bird apologized, citing heavy air traffic congestion in Greece.
Blue Bird flight BZ742 from Ben Gurion Airport to Crete, scheduled for 14:00, turned into a distressing ordeal for passengers already accustomed to frequent delays on flights departing from Israel. After the flight was delayed from its original time, passengers boarded the plane, only to find themselves in what they described as a "real nightmare."
Passengers were forced to wait inside the aircraft on the ground for an estimated hour to an hour and a half. According to those on board, the air conditioning was barely functioning during the peak of the August heat. The stifling conditions led to extreme tension, with passengers reporting feeling unwell due to the prolonged exposure to heat without adequate ventilation.
"All the children were screaming; there was sweat and a stench in the cabin. Everyone had turned red from the heat," one passenger told N12.
During the wait, some passengers called the police to report the situation. Simultaneously, others banged forcefully on the cockpit door, demanding answers and immediate action. Flight attendants were described as being just as distressed by the cabin conditions and the passengers' reactions. Only after the passengers' protest did a flight attendant open one of the aircraft doors, allowing air to circulate and providing some relief.
Blue Bird Airways issued the following statement:
"A significant portion of recent delays is due to unusual congestion in the airspace and airports in Greece, where a central part of our operations takes place during the summer months. Yesterday alone, we operated 84 flights, our highest daily volume to date. In some cases, passengers are already on board and ready for takeoff, but due to airport delays, we must wait for clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority. This approval is often received on short notice, so it is crucial that the plane and passengers are ready to depart the moment it arrives. We are aware of the inconvenience and apologize to our passengers. Our teams are working around the clock to reduce delays and their impact on our flight schedule."
