Vomiting Passengers Trapped on Tarmac for Three Hours After Emergency Landing

A passenger onboard a recent AirAsia X flight describes an excruciating experience after an emergency landing stranded vomiting flyers on the tarmac.

A woman identified only as “Amanda” is speaking out about her experience on a recent AirAsia X flight, describing the horrific ordeal to an Australian radio station. The Daily Mail reports AirAsia X Flight 223 was diverted to Melbourne Airport (MEL) on Tuesday, where nauseous passengers were stuck on the tarmac for hours.

Amanda told 2GB radio that after taking off from Sydney Airport (SYD), en route to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), the flight was diverted to MEL without any indication from the pilots. She claims that after botching an attempted landing, the aircraft circled MEL for 20 minutes in heavy turbulence, causing passengers to become ill.

“Everyone’s vomiting, everyone’s sick,” Amanda told 2GB. “We circled Melbourne for a little bit, there was so much turbulence… so many sick people.”

Upon landing at MEL, Amanda says passengers were stuck on the aircraft for three hours before departing for KUL once again. According to Amanda’s account, the flight crew prohibited passengers from deplaning over safety and convenience concerns.

An AirAsia X representative told Daily Mail that the flight was diverted to MEL due to “a technical issue,” although the representative declined to elaborate on the exact cause. “The diversion is in compliance with all international aviation safety guidelines … Upon completion of all necessary safety inspection, the said aircraft departed Melbourne.”

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