Passengers on SpiceJet flight SG 105 from Delhi to Pune experienced intense heat before takeoff on August 11th. According to passengers, the temperature inside the aircraft rose so high that some found it difficult to breathe, leading to protests on the tarmac. The airline attributed the incident to a sudden technical issue that required an aircraft replacement, adding that the air conditioning system was operational.
This incident raised questions about why an aircraft heats up so much while stationary on the ground and how it begins to cool immediately after flight initiation. Factors contributing to this phenomenon include the operation of the air conditioning system, external temperature, sunlight, and the aircraft's speed. The conclusion is that removing heat from a stationary aircraft is more challenging than during flight.
Sunlight penetrating through the windows heats the seats and other components. Furthermore, the hot asphalt on the tarmac intensifies the heat around the aircraft. Heat is also generated by the passengers themselves; even a person at rest emits about 70–100 watts of heat. Consequently, in an aircraft with over 180 passengers, a significant amount of heat can accumulate.
The aircraft's air conditioning system differs from domestic counterparts. During flight, the high speed of the aircraft allows external air to enter the cooling system, facilitating the expulsion of hot air. When the aircraft is on the ground, it does not receive such airflow. In these cases, the system must rely on fans to circulate air. When engines are shut down, the aircraft may use its Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), or cold air may sometimes be supplied to the aircraft via a pipeline from the airport.
The temperature inside the aircraft is distributed unevenly. A passenger sitting directly under the sun near a window may feel intense heat. It is important to consider not only the air temperature but also the effect of sunlight, which heats the body. High humidity in the air also exacerbates the feeling of heat. The human body cools through sweat evaporation, but with increased humidity, sweat evaporates more slowly, leading to an intensified sensation of stuffiness and heat.
After takeoff, the aircraft's speed increases sharply, providing the cooling system access to fast external air, simplifying the heat removal process. The engines also begin operating at higher power. Simultaneously, the aircraft rises above the ground, where the air temperature is significantly lower. As a result, the heat inside the cabin gradually decreases, and the cabin begins to cool down.
In summary, the aircraft's air conditioning system functions on the ground as well, but in hot weather, with sunlight, a large number of passengers, and the aircraft being stationary, the load on the system increases. After takeoff, high speed and cooler air facilitate the operation of the cooling system.