Fury over India plane stranding

2011-10-17 09:33

London - Hundreds of air travellers were left stranded on Sunday after an incoming Air India flight was grounded for nine hours at London's Gatwick Airport by a combination of fog and aviation rules.

Police were called onto the Boeing 777 jet as tempers frayed among the 200 passengers after the airline prevented them from disembarking.

The flight from Ahmedabad via Mumbai was due to arrive at Heathrow, London's other major airport, at 08:00 local time (07:00 GMT) but was diverted to Gatwick due to fog.

The plane was unable to complete the 70km cross-city journey as aviation law limits the length of time for which flight crew are allowed to work in one shift.

A replacement crew was shuttled across the British capital, but reportedly got lost in Gatwick Airport.

Rahul Joglekar, a BBC journalist who was on the flight, said people became "very, very angry".

"A group of passengers gathered close to the cockpit demanding an explanation from the pilot, but the pilots still didn't come out," he said.

The flight eventually arrived at Heathrow shortly before 17:30.

Fellow passenger Jas Johal blasted the lack of refreshments on board, saying "everyone was very hungry and there was no sign of any food".

A spokesperson for Gatwick said that it had been Air India's decision to keep the passengers on board rather than arrange alternative transport to Heathrow.

"The plane remained off the runway and kept in the vicinity of the tarmac. The duty of care in those situations lies with the airline," he said.

- SAPA