JamboJet passengers stuck in airport for 16 hours
About 80 passengers were delayed for over 16 hours at Mombasa’s Moi International Airport on Saturday.
The airline, JamboJet, did not offer an explanation.
“Airport manager Samson Tsuma kept assuring us that a plane would be soon be available until he went off duty and another manager, only identified as Mr Joel, took over,” said a passenger, Mr Ernest Njonjo.
When the long-awaited plane finally arrived at around 11.20pm from Nairobi, the passengers heaved a sigh of relief but this was short-lived.
“We boarded the plane which taxied out of the terminal and headed to the runaway,” Mr Njonjo said.
It was at this point that the co-pilot came out of the cockpit and asked: “Who is Mohamed Jamal?”
When none of the passengers responded, the officer announced they would not be taking off.
The angry passengers confronted the officer but the plane taxied back to the terminal where they were bundled into buses and driven to the Best Western Hotel.
“Exhausted and tired after a two-and-a-half hour sleep, we were driven back to the airport where we departed at 6.45am for JKIA today (Sunday),” he said.
A JamboJet employee who identified himself as Kenneth said all questions should be emailed to the chief executive.
“Only the CEO can comment on the issue,” he said.
The CEO has not responded.