MALTA— Ryanair (FR) passengers travelling from Malta International Airport (MLA) to Birmingham Airport (BHX) reportedly became ill after being left inside a hot aircraft for more than an hour while awaiting departure.
The flight, Ryanair 7268, was scheduled to leave Malta at 5:40 p.m. but was pushed back to 7:30 p.m. after an initial technical issue.
The disruption reportedly began before passengers reached the aircraft, with travellers kept on an apron bus without air conditioning for around 30 minutes before being transferred to another vehicle.
Once onboard, passengers faced temperatures of about 31°C without functioning air conditioning, according to 16-year-old passenger Eva Gregory.
Ryanair Passengers Fall Ill
Gregory was travelling with her mother and brother when she began feeling nauseous during the prolonged delay. She said passengers became increasingly frustrated as they waited inside the aircraft without effective cooling.
Several travellers reportedly removed clothing in an effort to cope with the heat. Gregory said two passengers passed out, while an unknown number of others experienced vomiting or nausea.
The teenager also experienced a panic attack after becoming concerned that she might vomit. She said elderly passengers appeared particularly distressed during the delay, raising concerns about the impact of the conditions on more vulnerable travellers.
According to Gregory, cabin crew attempted to ask ground staff not to continue boarding passengers while the aircraft’s air conditioning was unavailable. She said those requests did not prevent passengers from being brought onto the aircraft.
Ryanair Flags a Technical Problem
Ryanair said the flight was initially delayed because of a technical problem affecting the aircraft. The airline also said the departure was delayed further after a passenger became ill onboard.
The carrier’s explanation differs from the broader passenger account, which focused heavily on the conditions inside the aircraft during the extended wait.
The reports of passengers becoming unwell occurred while the aircraft remained on the ground before its eventual departure.
The incident highlights the challenges airlines face when technical problems combine with hot weather and extended ground delays.
Maintaining suitable cabin conditions becomes particularly important when passengers remain onboard for prolonged periods before an aircraft can depart.
Passengers Reported
Gregory said the lack of cooling made the wait increasingly uncomfortable, particularly as passengers had already spent time on an unairconditioned apron bus.
She described the cabin as extremely hot and said frustration spread quickly among those onboard, Metro UK reported.
Passengers also reportedly did not receive free water from cabin crew despite the heat and the accounts of people becoming unwell. The reported conditions were especially concerning for elderly passengers, according to Gregory.
The incident occurred during a period of high summer temperatures in Malta, when aircraft operating from remote stands can require additional ground handling before departure.
For passengers, the episode demonstrates how technical disruptions can become more difficult when aircraft remain on the ground in hot conditions for extended periods.
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