Kuala Lumpur-bound passengers fume after24-hour Doha airport delay

Published: 14 August 2024

NT Bureau
Doha

A group of at least 30 Malaysians and passengers of other nationalities have been stranded at Doha’s Hamad Interna-tional Airport, some for over 24 hours, after multiple cancellations and delays, the Malaysian media have reported.

Photographer Annice Lyn, who transited from Paris after covering the 2024 Olympics, told Malaysiakini news website that the passengers were originally booked on MH165 (Malaysia Airlines) – initially scheduled to depart on Monday from Doha at 8.05am Qatar time.

The flight was eventually cancelled with no official statement issued at the time.

Annice said some affected passengers were offered hotel accommodation and told to return to the airport at mid-night for a rescheduled flight at 2.55am Qatar time or 8.55am Malaysia time. As of 7pm Malaysia time, Annice said they were still waiting for confirmation on their updated flight details.
“I arrived at the airport at 6.35am Qatar today and was supposed to board a flight at 8.05am,” she told Malaysiakini.

She said an email from MAS informed passengers that their flight had been retimed to 8.20pm tonight but no ground staff from the airline had offered assistance.

When contacted by Malaysiakini, Malaysia Airlines said it regretted the prolonged delay.
“Passengers have been reallocated on flights offered by Qatar Airways, while some are being accommodated at hotels near the airport in Doha with full board meal arrangements.

“This has also affected subsequent Kuala Lumpur-Doha-Kuala Lumpur flights between Aug 13- 14.
“Malaysia Airlines is working hard to resolve the issues related to its aircraft engine and is committed to minimising fur-ther disruptions to its operations. Malaysia Airlines apologises to passengers for the disruption to their travel plans and appreciates their patience and understanding.

“Safety remains the number one priority to Malaysia Airlines,” it said in a statement.

Another Malaysian passenger, Faizal Hamssin, took to X and narrated a scene of chaos, with children and the elderly being among those affected.

Last week, The Edge reported another Malaysia Airlines Airbus A350-900 flight from London to Kuala Lumpur was diverted to Doha due to a technical issue encountered during cruising