TAP TO UNMUTE Air India passengers on a Delhi-bound flight from Bagdogra were left in discomfort on Sunday as the air-conditioning system malfunctioned | Photo Credit: Indiatimes, Representative Image

New Delhi: Air India passengers on a Delhi-bound flight from Bagdogra were left in discomfort on Sunday as the air-conditioning system malfunctioned.

The passengers on board flight AI-880 protested and fanned themselves with magazines amongst other things. The passengers grew more frustrated when they realised that the pilot was aware of the malfunction and still decided to take-off.

Incoming reports state that the flight was faulty and should have been grounded but the pilot went ahead anyway.

An Air India spokesperson said the passengers complained of malfunctioning of the air conditioning system in the flight and they also protested, reports PTI.

The flight took off around 6 pm from Bagdogra airport and reached here on time, the spokesperson said. Some people took to Twitter to complain about the air conditioning problem in the flight.

Air India, known as the "Maharaja of the Skies" for its turbaned mascot, is reeling under 520 billion rupees ($8 billion) in debt which clouded the government announcement of the selloff late Wednesday.

It is unclear if the government will write off any part of the debt. But there appeared little enthusiasm among potential buyers as markets opened Thursday.

The head of the Mahindra Group conglomerate, Anand Mahindra, who is known for risky acquisitions, made it clear that he was not in contention.

"I see myself as a generally courageous person," Mahindra said on Twitter. "But I confess .. I don't possess THAT much courage."

Once the country's monopoly airline, Air India has lost market share to new low-cost private carriers.

Read: Cannot speak against the airline on social media, Air India tells former employees

(With inputs from PTI)