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350 KLM passengers fail to fly out of Dar
2009-04-20 16:30:34
By Patrick Kisembo
About 350 KLM passengers were stranded on Saturday night at the Julius Nyerere International Airport after their plane reportedly developed technical problems.
Some of the passengers booked for the flight told the Guardian that they had reported to the airport and checked in as usual but were not called to board a plane even when it was boarding time at 22:50 pm.
One of the passengers, who asked not to be named said KLM staff informed them that the plane had problems which they were working on.
``But we waited to about 03:00 am when they returned to tell us that it was not possible to travel,`` he said adding that they were then taken to Sea Cliff and Movenpick hotels in the city to await further instructions.
He said the KLM administration had asked the passengers to report at the airport at 20:00 pm yesterday (Sunday) night.
``They told us KLM was arranging a special plane for us that would be taking off at around 23:00pm (Sunday). But we have been told that we shall be in two different groups,`` he said.
When the Guardian called the hotels to confirm whether they have KLM passengers, the people on the receptions of both hotels confirmed to have received the passengers.
``Yes we have such passengers, but we are not allowed to give any report through a phone, unless you come personally and talk to the manager,`` said one of the officers of the hotels.
Among passengers who were stranded were top government officials, Tanzania commission for Aids, professors, students of different universities and other ordinary people.
Efforts to get the KLM officers to comment on the matter were fruitless as all calls went unanswered.
When contacted the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority Director General, Margaret Munyagi said she was not aware of the problem as she was on a trip. She directed this reporter to contact the TCAA public relations officer for more information.
When contacted the TCAA PRO, Abel Ngapemba, said the airline officers told him that the plane had developed technical problems and could not fly.
He however said KLM had already ordered another plane to arrive tonight (Sunday) at around 21:30 hours.
``They have ordered another plane which they say would arrive at the airport at around 21:30 hours and all passengers would leave at between 21: 45 or later,`` he said.
SOURCE: Guardian
2009-04-20 16:30:34
By Patrick Kisembo
About 350 KLM passengers were stranded on Saturday night at the Julius Nyerere International Airport after their plane reportedly developed technical problems.
Some of the passengers booked for the flight told the Guardian that they had reported to the airport and checked in as usual but were not called to board a plane even when it was boarding time at 22:50 pm.
One of the passengers, who asked not to be named said KLM staff informed them that the plane had problems which they were working on.
``But we waited to about 03:00 am when they returned to tell us that it was not possible to travel,`` he said adding that they were then taken to Sea Cliff and Movenpick hotels in the city to await further instructions.
He said the KLM administration had asked the passengers to report at the airport at 20:00 pm yesterday (Sunday) night.
``They told us KLM was arranging a special plane for us that would be taking off at around 23:00pm (Sunday). But we have been told that we shall be in two different groups,`` he said.
When the Guardian called the hotels to confirm whether they have KLM passengers, the people on the receptions of both hotels confirmed to have received the passengers.
``Yes we have such passengers, but we are not allowed to give any report through a phone, unless you come personally and talk to the manager,`` said one of the officers of the hotels.
Among passengers who were stranded were top government officials, Tanzania commission for Aids, professors, students of different universities and other ordinary people.
Efforts to get the KLM officers to comment on the matter were fruitless as all calls went unanswered.
When contacted the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority Director General, Margaret Munyagi said she was not aware of the problem as she was on a trip. She directed this reporter to contact the TCAA public relations officer for more information.
When contacted the TCAA PRO, Abel Ngapemba, said the airline officers told him that the plane had developed technical problems and could not fly.
He however said KLM had already ordered another plane to arrive tonight (Sunday) at around 21:30 hours.
``They have ordered another plane which they say would arrive at the airport at around 21:30 hours and all passengers would leave at between 21: 45 or later,`` he said.
SOURCE: Guardian
