Smoke engulfed the plane as it prepared to depart from Thailand – with video showing panicked passengers fanning themselves as the heat in the cabin reached 45C

Holidaymakers staged a mutiny and demanded their plane stay grounded after it was engulfed in smoke and fumes just before take off.

The aircraft was packed with passengers and ready to depart when suddenly it filled with “unbearable” noxious air. Panicked tourists stood and fanned themselves as heat in the cabin reached 45C as they were about to fly home from Phuket in Thailand. As the aircraft returned to the stand, they used makeshift fans – including the plane’s safety instructions – to ventilate themselves.

Some of the chaos was captured on video. It happened as the passengers on board the Russian airline Azur Air were taxiing to the runway. When power was cut from the aircraft, they demanded to be allowed off the plane and wait in the air conditioned terminal. Their demands were finally answered.

An airline spokesman told REN TV that a “technical malfunction in the air conditioning system” had been identified shortly before takeoff. Relieved passengers have spoken of the terrifying incident. One tourist on the Phuket to Sochi flight said: “The oil in the engine caused the smoke. Firefighters and technical services arrived at the scene. After checking they began to drain the kerosene (from the plane).”

The Ostorozhno Novosti Telegram channel reported the smoke had alarmed the tourists after their holiday in Thailand. There was panic among the passengers. It posted: “The takeoff was halted, and the passengers were evacuated. Flight departure was delayed for several hours. The captain decided to return to the stand.”

Repairs were carried out in Phuket and the plane later took off for Sochi. It was unclear if the problems arose due to lack of maintenance on Russian planes caused due to Western sanctions over the war against Ukraine. Russian aircraft are suffering a rising level of malfunctions because of the unavailability of Western spare parts and repairs.

“The board was examined by technical specialists. The malfunction has been identified and corrected, the airliner is ready for flight,” said a representative of the carrier.