A Qatar Airways passenger plane was unable to take off for over 3 hours due to technical malfunctions exacerbated by an extreme heatwave, which resulted in a passenger fainting.
The Sun reported on June 16, that Qatar Airways flight QR204, departing from Athens to Doha, discovered a fault in the air conditioning system on the 10th.
As a result, the passenger plane had to wait on the runway for over three hours without taking off.
At the time, the temperature around the airport exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Greece had also issued an emergency weather alert due to the extreme heatwave.
However, passengers had to wait inside the plane without air conditioning and no ability to open the windows.
Many passengers showed signs of dehydration, with one passenger even removing his shirt and revealing his sweat-drenched state.
A female passenger had to receive emergency treatment after fainting on the plane.
At the same time, one passenger shared the situation through social media, saying, “The passengers have been trapped on the plane for 3 hours and 30 minutes with the doors closed and no air conditioning. Passengers are showing signs of dehydration and are literally fainting on the plane.”
Eventually, the passengers had to disembark from the plane and return to the terminal building at Athens International Airport to wait for further instructions.
Qatar Airways staff provided passengers with a cup of water and a refreshing beverage, but this was reported to be insufficient to replenish the amount of moisture lost through sweat.
Qatar Airways said, “We sincerely apologize for the delay caused by technical issues.”
