Malaysia Airlines arranges flights, reimbursements after MH4 diversion

 

Malaysia Airlines has arranged additional flights and reimbursements for passengers affected by a UK air traffic control disruption that resulted in flight MH4 being diverted to Manchester. PIC FROM SOCMED

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines has arranged additional flights and reimbursements for passengers affected by a UK air traffic control disruption that resulted in flight MH4 being diverted to Manchester.

In a travel advisory today, the carrier said it would operate additional flights MH4D (Manchester to London Heathrow) and MH1D (London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur) to get affected passengers to their final destinations.

Due to limited hotel availability across UK airports, the airline advised passengers to book their own accommodation.

It said it would reimburse room costs of up to £150 (RM821) per night, as well as reasonable meal expenses and local transport, provided passengers retained itemised receipts.

Stand-up comedian Dr Jason Leong has criticised Malaysia Airlines' crisis management team after Flight MH4 from Kuala Lumpur to London Heathrow was diverted to Manchester Airport, leaving passengers and flight crew without ground support.

In a video posted on his Facebook page, Leong said the aircraft was diverted to Manchester due to operational closures at London Heathrow.

He said passengers were left sitting in the baggage reclaim area for hours without information about their luggage, hotel accommodation or onward transport.

Leong said there was no carousel number, no luggage coming out and no Malaysia Airlines ground representative at the airport to assist passengers or provide instructions.

He also criticised the airline's crisis management team for failing to provide logistical support, saying the flight attendants and pilots were also left without hotel accommodation or transport.

Leong said the flight captain was forced to manage frustrated passengers directly in the terminal.

On luggage delays at Manchester Airport, Malaysia Airlines urged passengers to proceed to their accommodation without waiting for their checked bags, citing safety constraints caused by stand congestion and remote parking.

The airline said all checked baggage remained secure and would be transported to London Heathrow on flight MH4D.

Passengers who need to repurchase essential medication because of missing baggage can submit their receipts for full reimbursement.

KW: Malaysia Airlines, MH4, Manchester Airport, London Heathrow, UK air traffic control, flight diversion, additional flights, passenger reimbursement, Jason Leong, Nst, News, Malaysia - NST