Chaos At KLIA2 As 13 AirAsia Pilots Reported Down With Flu
"AirAsia sincerely apologise for the inconveniences caused."
By Sadho Ram — 02 Dec 2015, 12:55 PM
On 1 December, hundreds of passengers were left stranded at KL International Airport 2 in Sepang and some flights were cancelled with others delayed forcing the passengers to spend the night at the airport after 13 AirAsia pilots were allegedly grounded by flu
Stranded AirAsia passengers spending the night at KLIA2 in Sepang yesterday.
Image via Fariz Iswadi Ismail/NSTThe havoc caused to flight scheduling left hundreds of passengers fuming as many were forced to endure multiple lengthy delays and cancellations. Some had no choice but to spend the night on airport floors.
The delays affected not only local flights but also to and from international destinations, including flights from Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport. Passengers on flight AK6130 bound for Kota Baru from klia2, scheduled for 7.05pm on Monday, were initially told their flight was delayed, then moved to another flight, which was cancelled.
Responding to a tweet, AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes tweeted that 13 pilots came down with flu, thus resulting in the flight disruptions
@wafi_nha @AirAsia poor show by guest service. unfortunately had 13 pilots sick which caused flight isues @aireenomar is on top of this
— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 1, 2015
Some affected passengers vented their frustration on social media
One of them tweeted "for the 'claim' record purposes, my ak6304 shift to ak6323. 12 hours delay 3.15 pm to 1.15 am." Another tweeted "AK 6323 Langkawi -KL.. Delay from 1515 till now 2047 still no news. Very bad image to the country. Typically a bad management".
One passenger, Noraizan Jamaludin, whose flight to the northern state of Penang at Monday night was affected, vented her frustration on her Facebook page. She said she was told to move four times, from one departure gate to the other before her flight was eventually cancelled at around midnight over what an airline official told them was due to "operational requirements."
The passengers were told to go to the departure hall for new boarding pass for the next day.
"By this time tempers among the passengers were flaring. Guards were deployed to protect AirAsia staff," she wrote. Ms Noraizan said they were not provided with accommodation as they were told that all nearby hotels were full. Many passengers had to resort to sleeping on the floor.
However, AirAsia's operations at the KLIA2 have seemed to be back to normal now with the departure hall at about 11am Wednesday, 2 December, its peak period, looking its normal self - packed with travellers - but all flights were operating as usual, The Star reported
The departure hall at KLIA2 on Wednesday looking busy as usual but flights are back to normal.
Image via The Star"If there are a lot of cancelled flights, the situation would be more chaotic. This is considered fine. Now it seems everything is back to normal and this is a usual scene of the departure hall as now is the peak hour," said an airport ground staff.
Although there were several flight delays on Tuesday, a statement issued by AirAsia said that it was due to operational requirements.
"AirAsia is working towards a resolution to ensure all guests enjoy a smooth journey. All affected guests are being informed accordingly and necessary assistance is being provided. AirAsia sincerely apologise for the inconveniences caused," it said on Wednesday.