A video has surfaced online of furious Emirates passengers confronting staff after their flight was delayed three times in 24 hours.
The EK421 Perth to Dubai Emirates flight was originally meant to take off at 10:20 p.m. on Oct. 28 — but after reportedly spending four-and-a-half hours on the tarmac, passengers were told to disembark due to a technical issue.
The flight was then rescheduled to Oct. 29 at 6 p.m., however passengers were told it was going to be pushed back a third time to the pre-scheduled 10:20 p.m. flight time.
And in another shock twist, they were told there was a catering issue after food from the 6 p.m. flight had spoiled.
Many insisted they didn’t care and just wanted to get on the flight but Emirates reportedly insisted it was company policy that they could not board if the flight was not catered.
The flight was then pushed back again – with passengers rebooked to fly out on Monday and Tuesday night.
“Emirates flight EK421 from Perth to Dubai on October 28 was cancelled due to a technical fault,” an Emirates spokesperson told news.com.au.
“Affected customers were rebooked on the next available flights.”
Footage shows furious passengers berating airport staff following the incident.
“Someone needs to give us answers as to why?” one customer demands.
“You know how much we have paid for this? Thousands and thousands of dollars,” another said, adding, “It is not fair.”
One staffer could be seen trying to calm the furious passengers, explaining the airline is working on sorting out a new flight.
“They are going to organize and book those in the morning,” the employee said.
“Will we definitely get on a flight tomorrow?” the man asks.
“I want to be honest with you and say ‘yes you are’ but if the same thing happens, let’s just say the aircraft broke again you would come to me and say ‘you promised me’,” the staffer replies.
The employees response didn’t go down well with one passenger responding: “How can you keep doing it to the same passengers?”
“Emirates have a good name and everybody is saying Emirates have never had a problem like this. Why the same passengers for three flights?”
“I totally understand your frustration and anger,” the staff member responds.
“Dubai (Emirates headquarters) have said they are not going to send people without food and water.”
Meanwhile, one passenger, Danish tourist Camilla Von Benzon Hollesen, claimed that after the initial cancellation she waited in line at the Emirates terminal only to be told there were no more hotel beds and that she could sleep on the airport floor.
She told The West it was only after she complained that she was offered a room and a taxi to the Parmelia Hilton.
“We are aware of the difficult situation on the ground, which was compounded by a shortage of hotels and ground transport to accommodate our affected customers,” an Emirates spokesperson told news.com.au.
“This is a rare and regrettable situation, but Emirates will never compromise on the safety of our passengers and crew.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused. Our Customer Affairs team is making contact with customers affected by the cancellation.”
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