Passengers who were forced to spend their Christmas stranded on an airport tarmac will not be compensated for the nightmare flight.
Stranded Sydney Qantas passengers on their way to London spent 10 hours on the tarmac in Dubai after heavy fog and mechanical faults forced the plane to divert.
About 450 passengers on QF1, which left Sydney Airport on December 23, were left sitting on the plane after the 14-hour flight, according to News Corp.
Passengers who were forced to spend their Christmas stranded on an airport tarmac due to thick fog in Dubai (pictured) will not be compensated for the nightmare flight
Stranded Sydney Qantas passengers (pictured) on their way to London spent 10 hours on the tarmac in Dubai after heavy fog and mechanical faults forced the plane to divert
About 450 passengers on QF1, which left Sydney Airport on December 23, were left sitting on the plane after the 14 hour flight frustrating travellers (pictured)
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.’
However, it is believed the passengers will not be receiving compensation for the nightmare flight.
A Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they provided overnight accommodation for passengers affected by the diversion.
‘We provided accommodation in hotels for those impacted, flights on alternative services, hotel/airport transfer vouchers and letters for customers to take to their travel insurance provider,’ the spokesperson said.
Qantas said they were ‘sorry for the delay and frustrations’.
Qantas said they were ‘sorry for the delay and frustrations’ and they were working on alternative flights and accommodation for passengers
It is believed the passengers will not be receiving compensation for the nightmare flight
Hundreds took to social media accusing the airline of ruining their Christmas.
‘All I want for Christmas is to be with the family but Qantas made sure that didn’t happen,’ one passenger tweeted.
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 flight was diverted to Al Ain International Airport, 150km south of Dubai airport
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?’