By Ngozi Obiwulu
On Saturday, July 6, 2013, a Kenyan airways plane, KQ Flight 117 en route Nairobi from Amsterdam, made an emergency landing in Greece after smoke was detected in the plane.
NET gathered that the plane which had about 301 passengers on board including Muthoni ‘the drummer Queen’ Ndonga left passengers stranded after it landed in an unplanned destination due to emergency.
The pilot announced the diversion on the PA, and then made a sharp descent to Athens where it was detected that the plane was unfit to fly. Some passengers were booked in a hotel while others were transferred by KLM through a code sharing agreement.
Muthoni took to social media to complain, posting series of tweets in a long rant that forced KA management to speak out. Tweets below:
@muthoniDQ: THIS IS THE MOST NEGLIGENT INCOMPETENT INHUMANE DISGUSTING TREATMENT @KenyaAirways GET YOUR FACTS
CORRECT! LET ME START!
1.I am on this stranded KQ flight in Athens. Forget that story @KenyaAirways is selling here. Let me give you the brief
2. We had an emergency landing at 1:08 am.At 4:48 they announced we will move to the hotel. @KenyaAirways @CapitalFM_kenya
3.But to leave airport we needed a VISA.About 1/4 of us have the single entry EU Visa that was already used @KenyaAirways @CapitalFM_kenya
4.Those with multiple entry visas were allowed to proceed to hotel.The rest of us were not allowed to @CapitalFM_kenya @KenyaAirways
5. At first The Greek authorities confiscated our passports and made us do a useless run around the airport. @KenyaAirways @CapitalFM_kenya
6. Brought us BACK to the departure room. NOT LOUNGE&said we CANNOT LEAVE THE ROOM because its their law @CapitalFM_kenya @KenyaAirways
7.We have been on the floor/seats since 5:30AM. There are unaccompanied minors&travelers who are unwell here @KenyaAirways @CapitalFM_kenya
8.After serious confrontations leading nowhere @Malowa_Oduol called her sister who then called @KenyaAirways in Nairobi. @CapitalFM_kenya
9.@KenyaAirways said we should speak with GoldAir Handling company as they were KQ people on the ground @CapitalFM_kenya The lady incharge
10.had less than 0 Info on the situation and 0 compassion for the passengers. We had no food/medicine @KenyaAirways
11 No blankets/information.Just 20 or so police guarding doors to keep us contained! @KenyaAirways @CapitalFM_kenya Most passengers cracked
12 Demanded she gets us breakfast/blankets from the aircraft.These came at 9:00am&11:00am respectively
13.Goldair also rudely told us to buy new tickets if we wanted to leave.Thanks KQ..Great handling agency @KenyaAirways
14.Further GoldAir said a rep.from KLM would come brief us.Its now 3:00pm. No word. Again good job @KenyaAirways @CapitalFM_kenya
15. WE ARE NOT COMFORTABLE IN A LOUNGE + STILL WAITING FOR FOOD.SICK PASSENGERS STILL UNWELL. @KenyaAirways
16.We only know ANYTHING because we are seeing it online.You guys in Kenya know more than we do @KenyaAirways @CapitalFM_kenya I agree that
17.The greek have been completely INHUMANE in their treatment of us.There must be protocol to follow for.. @KenyaAirways @CapitalFM_kenya
18.Emergency landings&how to treat passengers who are stranded.That’s a separate fight.Right now this is… @CapitalFM_kenya @KenyaAirways
19.About how @KenyaAirways and their handling agency GOLDAIR have&continue to manage this situation. This is despicable @CapitalFM_kenya
20.its DISGUSTING IRRESPONSIBLE&MADDENING that @KenyaAirways can say we are comfortable/been cared for.LIES @CapitalFM_kenya Do you know we
21.don’t even know if the craft was fixed.And were expected to get back on it?Are you serious @KenyaAirways @CapitalFM_kenya How dare you!!!
22.WE ARE YOUR CLIENTS.YOUR RESPONSIBILITY?THIS IS YOUR CALL @KenyaAirways&YOU’RE PLAYING PR ON TWITTER??? @CapitalFM_kenya ARE YOU SERIOUS?
23.I couldn’t be more DISGUSTED with your management style.Its not what happens,its what/how you deal @CapitalFM_kenya @KenyaAirways.
The chief operating officer of Kenya Airways, Mbuvi Ngunze confirmed this delay with a letter of apology stating that another aircraft will be sent soonest to pick up those that are stranded. The party finally landed in Kenya early this morning.
