Kinshasa Airport was thrust into a state of chaos and frustration as passengers aboard a Brussels Airlines Airbus A330 reached their breaking point after enduring a series of delays, technical problems, and a two-day ordeal.
According to airspace-africa.com, the incident unfolded amidst the backdrop of the airline’s ambitious expansion plans in the African market.
Delayed Departure and Technical Woes
The ill-fated Flight SN358, scheduled to depart from Kinshasa to Brussels, encountered issues right from the start. With 230 passengers on board the Airbus A330-300 (registration OO-SFF), the flight was originally set to take off on Friday, September 15, at 8:50 p.m. local time. However, a technical glitch in one of the engines, compounded by the aircraft’s age of nearly 13 years, led to the flight’s abrupt cancellation.
A Second Attempt, Another Disappointment
Optimism prevailed as a new departure time was arranged for Saturday, around 11:00 p.m. local time. Nevertheless, the aircraft’s persistent technical troubles reared their head once more, resulting in another heart-wrenching cancellation. The repeated setbacks tested the patience of the stranded passengers beyond their limits.
Passenger Uproar
Approximately 70 aggrieved passengers decided to take matters into their own hands and stormed onto the tarmac in a daring bid to access the grounded Airbus A330. Swift intervention by security personnel became imperative to protect the crew from potential harm and deter the irate crowd from executing their audacious plan. After about 45 minutes of tension and chaos, the passengers reluctantly retreated to the airport terminal.
Outcry and Accusations
Images and videos circulated on social media portrayed the exhausted and exasperated passengers. Some voiced their grievances, lamenting, “We have waited 48 hours and are exhausted and afraid.” The primary allegation leveled against the airline was the alleged lack of assistance and support during the protracted delay. Passengers contended that there was no provision of food or beverages, and they felt abandoned and mistreated.
Brussels Airlines, however, countered these claims, asserting that passengers had been attended to throughout the ordeal. According to a spokesperson, passengers who were not residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo were provided with hotel accommodations, and their meal expenses were covered. Despite the tumultuous situation, the airline extended an apology for any inconvenience experienced.
Finally, Takeoff
On the third attempt, the Brussels Airlines A330 embarked on its journey to Brussels on Sunday night, marking the end of the passengers’ arduous ordeal. The seven-and-a-half-hour flight concluded safely in Belgium. Nevertheless, FlightRadar24 data indicated that all flights scheduled to use the aircraft registered as OO-SFF were canceled for the upcoming days.
This turbulent episode serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that both passengers and airlines can face when unexpected disruptions occur in the world of air travel, underscoring the importance of robust contingency plans and effective communication in such situations.
