Umrah pilgrims stranded at KLIA
SEPANG: A large group of pilgrims was stranded at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here since Sunday after the aircraft that should have flown them to perform the umrah in Mecca failed to take off as scheduled.
Technical problems had been cited as the cause for the aircraft to be grounded for an “unscheduled maintenance”.
One of the pilgrims, who declined to be identified, said he and the other pilgrims would have arrived in Medina on Monday had the aircraft departed on schedule.
He said they were scheduled to return to Malaysia on Dec 14 after completing their umrah.
“For pilgrims who live nearby and have returned home, they will be contacted by the airline management as soon as the problem is resolved.
“Out-of-the-state pilgrims have been provided with hotel accommodation in Salak Tinggi here.
“I hope this matter can be resolved as soon as possible so that we can fulfil our dreams to perform the umrah,” he said last night
A representative of the agency organising the umrah package for the group said the agency was resolving the issue and waiting for updates Some of the Pic by Fariz Iswadi Ismail
from the airline.
“We do not want to make the situation worse and will try our best to help the pilgrims.”
Malaysia Airlines Bhd corporate communications spokesman said the charter flight between Kuala Lumpur and Medina was experiencing
in Sepang yesterday. delays due to unscheduled maintenance.
“The grounding of the aircraft was for urgent repairs to be made due to technical issues.
“The customers have been provided with hotel accommodations, food and drinks.”