Malaysia Airlines passengers stranded at Auckland Airport

© Provided by MToday News Sdn Bhd mas-auckland-1

PETALING JAYA: Stranded passengers of a Malaysia Airlines flight, which has been delayed by more than 42 hours due to a mechanical fault, have been sleeping on chairs at Auckland Airport in New Zealand due to a lack of accommodation.

According to the father of one of the passengers, they have been sleeping on chairs in the airport’s food corner overnight with their luggage around them as they wait to catch the Kuala Lumpur-bound flight.

Teeseang Tan told the Herald daily that the passengers were unable to get nearby accommodation as most of them have been booked out for an Adele concert.

An Auckland Airport staff member confirmed flight MH132 was supposed to leave at 12.55am on Saturday but has now been delayed until 7pm Sunday.

Tan said he had already made four trips to and from the airport to collect and drop off his daughter Adeleine. He said the flight was rescheduled for 7.55am.

“After returning for a second time, we found out the flight had been delayed again,” said Tan.

According to Tan, Malaysia Airlines did not alert him or his daughter to the further delays by text or email and they only found out after arriving back at the airport.

He said no accommodation was offered to passengers despite the major delay.

“The airline just offered two NZ$20 vouchers to buy food and drink,” said Tan, adding that the airline said accommodation was full because of Adele’s concert.