Jetstar passengers in Thailand to get full refund
Qantas low-cost subsidiary Jetstar has reimbursed passengers on board a Sydney-bound flight the cost of accommodation and flights after they were stranded in Phuket due to technical issues.
JQ28 from Phuket to Sydney was scheduled to depart at 9pm local time on Monday, however the flight was cancelled, leaving 290 passengers to spend Australia day far from home.
After spending an extra, unscheduled night on the Thai resort island, passengers returned to the airport yesterday and boarded the flight, only to be informed that, for a second time, the flight would not proceed.
It is now expected to leave Phuket tonight and arrive in Sydney tomorrow morning.
Jetstar said in a statement that two separate delays to the aircraft were caused by unrelated technical issues, and all passengers were provided with two nights’ accommodation, with the airline covering expenses for meals and airport transfers.
The airline has said that it refunded the full return airfare and issued a $600 Jetstar travel voucher as compensation for the disruption.
Passenger Natalie Soltysewski said tempers flared as passengers were left waiting for information.
She said that after being booted off the plane, she was forced to deal with local ground staff who did not know anything.
It is also believed that some children on the flight were expected to return from school holidays tomorrow.