KL-bound passengers fume after 24-hour Qatar airport delay

A group of at least 30 Malaysians and passengers of other nationalities have been stranded at Qatar’s Hamad International Airport, some for over 24 hours, after multiple cancellations and delays

Photographer Annice Lyn, who transited from Paris after covering the 2024 Olympics, told Malaysiakini that the passengers were originally booked on MH165 - initially scheduled to depart yesterday from Doha at 8.05am Qatar time, or 1.05pm Malaysia. 

The flight - a codeshare Qatar Airways-Malaysia Airlines flight bound for Kuala Lumpur - was eventually cancelled with no official statement issued at the time by either airport authorities or Malaysia Airlines at the time. 

Annice said some affected passengers were offered hotel accommodation and told to return to the airport at midnight for a rescheduled flight at 2.55am Qatar time or 8.55am Malaysia time. 

As of 7pm Malaysia time, Annice said they were still waiting for confirmation on their updated flight details.

“I arrived at the airport at 6.35am Qatar today and was supposed to board a flight at 8.05am,” she told Malaysiakini. 

She said an email from MAS informed passengers that their flight had been retimed to 8.20pm tonight but no ground staff from the airline had offered assistance.

Annice Lyn

When contacted by Malaysiakini, Malaysia Airlines said it regretted the prolonged delay.

“Passengers have been reallocated on flights offered by Qatar Airways, while some are being accommodated at hotels near the airport in Doha with full board meal arrangements. 

“This has also affected subsequent Kuala Lumpur-Doha-Kuala Lumpur flights between Aug 13- 14.

“Malaysia Airlines is working hard to resolve the issues related to its aircraft engine and is committed to minimising further disruptions to its operations. Malaysia Airlines apologises to passengers for the disruption to their travel plans and appreciates their patience and understanding.

“Safety remains the number one priority to Malaysia Airlines,” it said in a statement released at 8pm Malaysia time today. 

Chaos and uncertainty

Aside from Annice, other passengers who shared their experiences with Malaysiakini also related scenes of chaos and uncertainty.

“I arrived in Doha on Aug 13 for a transit from Manchester to Kuala Lumpur. 

“However the second leg of the flight from Doha to Kuala Lumpur via Malaysian Airlines has been delayed, initially from 12 hours to 15 hours, then until further notice,” said a medical doctor working in the UK, only known as Katherine.

“So far, we heard nothing from Malaysian Airlines apart from our flight being retimed.

“No reason for this and no alternatives offered. Bearing in mind I have booked this under Qatar Airlines but they have pushed all responsibility to Malaysian Airlines,” she added.

Another Malaysian passenger, Faizal Hamssin, took to X and narrated a scene of chaos, with children and the elderly being among those affected.

“Lots of children are suffering; I feel bad for them and the parents. No water or meals were offered to customers. Lucky for those of us who packed some snacks!” he said. 

“If the problem is with the A350-900 management or maintenance - what is @MAS going to do to fix this in the long run? 

“KUL-DOH was supposed to be an opportunity for MAS to showcase its product to Qatar Airways codeshare passengers but now it’s doing the exact opposite,” Faizal said.

Malaysiakini understands that all affected passengers have been offered new hotel accommodations tonight, while some among those stranded for over 24 hours had rejected an initial offer for accommodation. 

Last week, The Edge reported another Malaysia Airlines Airbus A350-900 flight from London to Kuala Lumpur was diverted to Doha due to a technical issue encountered during cruising. - Mkini