Passengers Trapped in Overheated Aircraft as Temperatures Exceed 50 Degrees

On Sunday evening, June 21, 189 passengers were stranded on a SunExpress plane at the airport for two hours due to technical issues, leading to extreme temperatures and medical emergencies.

Two Hours of Heat on the Tarmac

The incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, June 21, while outside temperatures reached approximately 34 degrees Celsius. Passengers were already boarded on a SunExpress flight to Antalya when a technical failure delayed departure, keeping the aircraft on the tarmac for two hours.

As the cabin became increasingly hot, passengers reported temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. The situation sparked panic, leading some travelers to call emergency services for assistance.

Panic and Medical Intervention

Social media footage captured the distressed state of passengers. Reports indicate that travelers were permitted to exit only after repeated calls to emergency services; police reportedly found the aircraft doors already open upon arrival.

One passenger described the heat as unbearable, noting that a fellow traveler’s thermometer registered approximately 56 degrees Celsius. An infant was among those who fainted, and while some of the 189 passengers required medical attention, no serious injuries were sustained. Passengers were later cleared to re-board and the flight departed that same day.

SunExpress Issues Apology

SunExpress apologized for the incident, identifying a failure of the auxiliary power unit, which regulates the air conditioning, as the cause of the extreme heat. The airline stated that the event does not reflect its operational standards.

The carrier disputed claims regarding a lack of care, asserting that the crew provided water to passengers throughout the ordeal. SunExpress has announced it will contact all affected travelers to offer additional support.