KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is trying its level best to bring back passengers who have been stranded in Mumbai, due to an unforeseen rerouted flight bound for Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Friday (November 24).
The airline’s group communications unit, in a reply to Scoop today, confirmed that flight MH165, which was scheduled to arrive in KLIA after a layover in Doha on Thursday (November 23), was rerouted to Mumbai International Airport (BOM).
They also confirmed that the redirection was due to unforeseen technical issues onboard, where the primary focus during the incident was on ensuring the passengers’ and aircraft’s safety.
However, they said any proactive efforts to assist passengers in finding alternative travel options from BOM to KLIA were unsuccessful due to Mumbai’s local immigration protocols.
“Throughout this process, passengers were provided with accommodation, meals and transportation. They were also continuously kept informed of the situation.
“Malaysia Airlines continues to arrange for passengers’ transfer on its airline upon clearance by local authorities.
“We sincerely regret any disruptions to passengers’ travel plans resulting from this unexpected change,” the unit said in a statement today.
Yesterday, Scoop spoke to Lawrence Sathiaraj, the father of one of the affected passengers, on the current situation at BOM.
However, today, Sathiaraj said that the remaining stranded passengers in BOM had to endure another ten hours of waiting at the airport yesterday, after no flights were made available to bring them home.
He said the passengers, including his daughter, were held up again at the airport as the passengers needed to get another temporary visa issuance for the day before they were checked into a hotel for the night.
“Everyone (especially affected passengers) is frustrated and angry. We’d just have to pray for them to come home as soon as possible now,” he said.
Apart from Sathiaraj, many other families of the affected passengers have started pouring in their frustrations over the incident on X (formerly Twitter), focusing on MAS’ deafening silence on any further explanation of the technical issues.
Scoop spoke to an X user identified as ‘Juliana’, who said that both her parents are among the affected passengers. They are returning to KL for her convocation.
“I was okay yesterday since I thought redirection was normal. But this morning, I’ve started becoming anxious… shaking and crying because I’m really worried about their safety.
“My mother’s last communication with me was around 7.38am (Malaysia time) today. She told me that she was stuck, being sent here and there between the airport and the hotel but there is still no action taken to bring them home.
“The passenger’s passports are still being held by the airport’s immigration officers. She also said that she had to use someone else’s (mobile) hotspot from time to time.
“MAS being quiet (on this issue) is very loud. There must be something serious going on,” she said.
As of noon local time today, there is still no update from MAS on whether there is any flight available to bring the passengers home.
Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) reps have reached out to Scoop to confirm that they are doing their best to extend assistance to the families of affected passengers.
However, they are unable to confirm any flights from BOM ferrying the passengers to KLIA, as it is still under MAS’ purview. – November 26, 2023