Jet flight returns to Mumbai with 30 bleeding passengers

At least 30 passengers on a Jet Airways flight from Mumbai to Jaipur suffered nose and ear bleeding after a sudden cabin pressure problem during the aircraft's ascent on Thursday, prompting the plane to turn back to Mumbai shortly after take-off.

Flight 9W-697 was carrying 166 passengers and five crew members when the incident occurred, according to a Jet Airways spokesperson.

Several passengers reportedly complained of severe headaches, while around 30 experienced bleeding from their nose and ears. A team of doctors at Mumbai airport provided immediate first aid to the affected passengers after the aircraft returned.

The incident is believed to have occurred because the aircraft's cabin failed to maintain the required pressure during the climb. Airline sources said the crew may have failed to activate a system known as the “bleed switch” before take-off. The problem reportedly resulted in a drop in cabin pressure and triggered the automatic deployment of oxygen masks.

Cabin pressurisation is critical during flight because aircraft operate at altitudes where the air pressure and oxygen levels are much lower than at ground level. A malfunction or incorrect configuration can cause passengers to experience symptoms such as ear pain, headaches, dizziness and, in severe cases, other effects linked to reduced oxygen availability.

The aircraft returned to Mumbai as a precaution, allowing the affected passengers to receive medical attention on the ground instead of continuing the flight to Jaipur.

Jet Airways said the crew members concerned had been taken off duty pending an investigation into the incident. The airline also said it was cooperating with the authorities in determining exactly what led to the cabin pressure problem.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has separately launched an investigation into the incident. The probe is expected to examine the aircraft's technical systems, cockpit procedures and crew actions to establish how the pressure loss occurred.

The incident has raised questions about the importance of pre-flight checks and proper operation of aircraft systems, particularly those related to cabin pressurisation, which are essential for passenger safety at cruising altitude.