Saudi Airlines Technical Problems Make Passengers Stuck In Airport For Another Day

What are the odds of an international flight getting to technical problems for 2 days in a row? That was what happened to Saudi Airlines scheduled from Male' (Maldives) to Jeddah of Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Passengers were stuck in airport for hours, exhausted and furious.



The local newspapers report that the flight was scheduled to depart at 16:00hrs from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport of Maldives. Among the passengers were 46 Maldivian flying to Jeddah. The team leader of these 46 passenger group told media that passengers were boarded according to scheduled departure, then they waited in flight for 2 hours before getting off to wait in airport for another 5 hours.

Following the check-in started at 10:30 and after some hours it started getting delayed. At 15:15 the passengers thought their struggle was over as they boarded. But, the plane did not move. Passengers were anxiously waiting not wanting to think negative. But, in the end they had to get off again. Because passengers were stamped on their passports, so they had to remain in restricted area.

According to official who spoke to media the airline did not inform of any specific problem in the plane. Some speculated first day the flight had a tire problem. Exact cause of delay was not briefed to passengers and no food was provided in airport. Some said a food coupon of $14 was given first day.

The tour group in charge of 46 Maldivian passengers expressed deep concern as empty hotel rooms for all were all paid in advance with no possibility of refund. Pre-arranged ground transfers of whole group had to be cancelled too.

Many passengers feared that they might have to go home again like the previous day. But, after hours of waiting the passengers were boarded for second time. When flight was finally departed it was close to 12 hours of waiting since check-in.



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