United Airlines passengers left stuck on tarmac at Canberra Airport
PASSENGERS have been stuck on the tarmac at Canberra Airport for hours after United Airlines plane was forced to divert from Sydney.
PASSENGERS from a United Airlines flight have been stuck on the tarmac at Canberra Airport for hours after the plane was forced to divert from Sydney.
The U863 flight from San Francisco was due to arrive at Sydney Airport at 8.30am but was diverted to Canberra because of debris spotted on the runway.
The pilots had run out of flying hours and were made to have a compulsory rest. Qantas is flying backup pilots down to the nation’s capital and the passengers are due to be flown back to Sydney around 4.30pm.
Those on board were let off the plane to stretch their legs after lunch but have been kept in a restricted area on the tarmac.
Qantas has supplied some catering, including banana bread and cheese and crackers.
Daryl Clifton, one of the plane’s passengers from north of San Francisco, said the ordeal was “unfortunate” but praised the United Airlines team.
“They were really good explaining to us what was going on. We were updated every half an hour,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, it’s not real nice, but it’s just one of those things.
“They brought out some snacks this morning and they brought out some lunch, some banana bread and cheesy crackers, plus something like a violet crumble so it was pretty good.”
@gtoppenberg We are in the process of resolving this issue & will get you on your way as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience. ^GJ
— United (@united) December 12, 2014Meanwhile the airline’s social media team has gone into overdrive, tweeting to some of the frustrated passengers.
One passenger with the twitter name @Aussiepool1 said: “You couldn’t make this stuff up. Debris on Sydney runway, plane too big to refuel in Canberra, flight cre(w) past their working hours.
“Plus no food or water, crying babies on board and we were just told that the Ukrainian PM is occupying the Canberra Airport and not us.”
The passengers have had access to the plane’s toilets.
Plus no food or water ,crying babies on board and we were just told that the Ukrainian PM is occupying the Canberra airport and not us
— Jerry (@Aussiepool1) December 11, 2014
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