sperberj
Nov 6, 04, 7:08 am
Strangely this story did not get much coverage. Given that passengers were bound for the United States, I can't believe that there was little or no U.S. news coverage. Last week, I guess the election coverage drowned out many news stories.
Stranded SAA passengers vent their anger
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20041106104307348C498460>
* * Helen Bamford
* * November 06 2004 at 01:16PM
A South African Airways Airbus with more than 200 passengers was stranded on Ilha do Sal in the Cape Verde islands for more than 40 hours this week.
Passengers became so desperate that they sent a petition to SAA chief executive Khaya Ngqula, saying they were being kept in the dark and demanding that somebody tell them what was going on.
The plane, with 228 passengers, left Johannesburg on Wednesday at 8pm bound for Atlanta, and stopped to refuel at Ilha do Sal.
But two hours after taking off, the Airbus developed a technical problem and had to turn back to the tiny island.
he petition, written by University of Cape Town professor Raj Ramesar and signed by all the passengers, claimed there was a total lack of communication or presence of SAA staff or attendants to provide information to passengers, many of whom were in a desperate situation.
Ramesar, who was supposed to attend a conference on the genetics of ophthalmic diseases in Washington DC, told Saturday Star from Ilha do Sal that he was considering taking legal action against SAA.
"We are being accommodated and the hospitality is not bad. It's actually a gorgeous island, but without any information it is hell."
Ramesar said he'd had to make dozens of calls before hearing that SAA was sending another aircraft.
He said the experience had left a very sour taste.
"There are old people who haven't been able to get their medication and many others heading for conferences and weddings which they have now missed."
People making a trip to witness the birth of a baby missed the event.
But SAA spokesperson Rich Mkhondo denied the passengers had been left in the dark.
"The captain and crew have briefed them and they know exactly what is going on."
Mkhondo said the aircraft had developed a fuel imbalance problem and SAA had needed to find a spare aircraft.
"We have taken care of the passengers and followed the regulations of the International Air Transportation Association," he said.
Stranded SAA passengers vent their anger
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20041106104307348C498460>
* * Helen Bamford
* * November 06 2004 at 01:16PM
A South African Airways Airbus with more than 200 passengers was stranded on Ilha do Sal in the Cape Verde islands for more than 40 hours this week.
Passengers became so desperate that they sent a petition to SAA chief executive Khaya Ngqula, saying they were being kept in the dark and demanding that somebody tell them what was going on.
The plane, with 228 passengers, left Johannesburg on Wednesday at 8pm bound for Atlanta, and stopped to refuel at Ilha do Sal.
But two hours after taking off, the Airbus developed a technical problem and had to turn back to the tiny island.
he petition, written by University of Cape Town professor Raj Ramesar and signed by all the passengers, claimed there was a total lack of communication or presence of SAA staff or attendants to provide information to passengers, many of whom were in a desperate situation.
Ramesar, who was supposed to attend a conference on the genetics of ophthalmic diseases in Washington DC, told Saturday Star from Ilha do Sal that he was considering taking legal action against SAA.
"We are being accommodated and the hospitality is not bad. It's actually a gorgeous island, but without any information it is hell."
Ramesar said he'd had to make dozens of calls before hearing that SAA was sending another aircraft.
He said the experience had left a very sour taste.
"There are old people who haven't been able to get their medication and many others heading for conferences and weddings which they have now missed."
People making a trip to witness the birth of a baby missed the event.
But SAA spokesperson Rich Mkhondo denied the passengers had been left in the dark.
"The captain and crew have briefed them and they know exactly what is going on."
Mkhondo said the aircraft had developed a fuel imbalance problem and SAA had needed to find a spare aircraft.
"We have taken care of the passengers and followed the regulations of the International Air Transportation Association," he said.