Passengers aboard a Blue Bird Airways flight from Ben Gurion Airport to Crete called police and banged on the cockpit door after being left inside the aircraft for up to an hour and a half amid intense heat.

Flight BZ742 was scheduled to depart for Crete at 2:00 p.m., but passengers said they remained aboard the aircraft while it sat on the ground, with the air conditioning operating at only minimal strength despite high temperatures outside.

Several passengers said the conditions became increasingly difficult, with some calling police to report the situation while others knocked on the cockpit door demanding action.

“All the children were screaming, there was sweat and a stench on the plane. Everyone turned red from the heat,” one passenger told N12.

Passengers said the flight attendants were also struggling with the conditions. Following the protests, a flight attendant reportedly opened one of the aircraft’s doors, allowing additional air into the cabin.

Blue Bird Airways said recent delays have largely been caused by unusually heavy congestion in Greek airspace and airports, where much of the airline’s summer operations take place. The company said it operated 84 flights the previous day, its highest-ever daily total.

The airline said passengers are sometimes already aboard and ready for departure but must wait for takeoff authorization, which can arrive on short notice.

“We are aware of the discomfort involved in waiting on the aircraft and apologize to the passengers,” the airline said, adding that its teams are working around the clock to minimize delays and their impact on flight schedules.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)