Festive travel plans have been ruined for some after a Qantas flight from Sydney was grounded in Dubai for 10 hours.
A Qantas flight departing from Sydney Airport on December 23 was destined for London, with a short stopover in Dubai.
But passengers were left stranded in Dubai for more than 10 hours.
Passengers were stranded at Al Ain International Airport in Dubai for 10 hours
Qantas said the flight was diverted to Al Ain International Airport, 150km south of Dubai airport, because of ‘heavy fog’.
‘Qantas, like all airlines, has been impacted by the heavy fog surrounding Dubai,’ a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘We understand that delays are frustrating, particularly at this time of year and we are doing everything we can to ensure customers are able to continue on their way as soon as possible.’
Passengers questioned the airline’s reason for the long delays, with one saying: ‘It’s sounding like the delay was driven more by your errors than just fog’.
‘Over 10 hours sitting on the plane in the middle of nowhere and now so many will miss Christmas! How does this happen?’ Benjamin wrote.
‘I’m in shock and really appalled.’
Qantas told Daily Mail Australia the flight was further delayed due to a mechanical issue.
‘While on the ground a mechanical issue was detected… an engineer and spare parts were brought in from Dubai,’ the spokeswoman said.
Qantas said the flight was diverted to Al Ain International Airport, 150km south of Dubai airport, because of ‘heavy fog’.
Passengers questioned the airline’s reason for the long delays, with one saying: ‘It’s sounding like the delay was driven more by your errors than just fog’
‘Stranded in a tiny airport in UAE with no info from Qantas about when we’ll get out of here. No food provided for over six hours,’ she said
Another passenger, Kathleen Goffey claimed the airline wasn’t provided food for six hours.
‘Stranded in a tiny airport in UAE with no info from Qantas about when we’ll get out of here. No food provided for over six hours,’ she said.
Qantas denied passengers were not offered food saying they ‘were given all the food and drink available on board’.
‘They were given the option to disembark where more refreshments were made available,’ a Qantas spokeswoman said.
The aircraft departed Al Ain for Dubai at 4pm local time, with customers travelling on to London provided several options including overnight accommodation.
Qantas said it was monitoring weather conditions in Dubai.
‘We will contact customers travelling through Dubai should their flight be impacted by rolling delays caused by the fog,’ she said.
The aircraft departed Al Ain for Dubai, with customers travelling on to London provided several options including overnight accommodation
‘I’m really disappointed with your communication re: the cancelled QF10 flight from LHR this morning. Are we guaranteed a seat on another flight,’ Danielle said
Passengers flying from London also hit out at the Australian airline after they experienced long delays and flight cancellations.
‘I’m really disappointed with your communication re: the cancelled QF10 flight from LHR this morning. Are we guaranteed a seat on another flight,’ Danielle said.
‘Shockingly inept customer service at LHR following the cancellation of QF10. Well over five hours queuing with zero information and no apology,’ Steve said.
‘How can you not have automated crisis management plans or systems in place in the 21st century?’