After long waiting periods, hundreds of passengers were left unimpressed with the way Vietnam Airlines handled the cancellation of a flight out of Da Nang Airport February 21.
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Airline passengers distressed with the cancellation |
According to the airline’s flight schedule, flight VN3277 would take off at 10.10 pm at from Da Nang International Airport and arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Passengers on the flight had already checked in, gone through customs and were waiting to get on board.
When boarding time approached, Vietnam Airlines unexpectedly announced that due to some technical difficulties, the flight was delayed and directed passengers to wait for further announcements. However, after three further announcements asking the passengers to continue waiting, no more information was provided as to the status of the flight and the airline simply abandoned their passengers.
Suddenly, at 11.30pm, Vietnam Airlines made an announcement that the VN3277 flight had been cancelled due to unresolved technical problems. The passengers, by now infuriated, had to make their way to the luggage claiming area so they could leave the airport.
One passenger expressed his frustration, “We have to sign a very important contract with our business partner tomorrow morning in Ho Chi Minh City but now we won’t be able to make it. I am extremely disappointed. I was hoping to begin this New Year with good omens.”
Another passenger shared, “It wasn’t easy to get a flight ticket during this high season of Tet. We had to come to the airport two hours earlier to check in, and after all these waiting periods, can you believe the airline couldn’t organise another flight for us?! I have important business matters that I have to attend to tomorrow but now there is no hope that I would be able to get there on time. Who can stand this neglectful and irresponsible way of dealing with problems?”
A number of passengers requested to see the airline’s representative but every effort was declined. Some could not wait any longer and decided to leave. Not until later did the airline send one of its representatives to come and organise some accommodation for the remaining passengers to stay overnight and wait for a replacement flight the following morning at 10 am on February 22 to Ho Chi Minh City.
