Lufthansa is getting fairly a little bit of criticism for its dealing with of a latest diversion. Whereas I don’t envy the place airways are put in when they should divert, it looks like Lufthansa screwed this one up fairly dangerous.
Lufthansa Frankfurt to Bangalore flight diverts to Istanbul
This incident occurred on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, on Lufthansa flight LH754 from Frankfurt (FRA) to Bangalore (BLR). The 4,602-mile flight was scheduled to be operated by a 22-year-old Boeing 747-400 with the license plate D-ABVX. The 8hr50min flight was purported to depart at 1:05PM and arrive at 1:25AM the next day.
The flight departed Frankfurt as scheduled, and climbed as much as 35,000 toes. Sadly there was a medical emergency whereas over northern Turkey, which required a diversion. The crew made the choice to divert to one of many nearest main airports, which was Istanbul Airport (IST).
The jumbo jet ended up touchdown in Istanbul virtually precisely 4 hours after it departed Frankfurt, at round 6:55PM native time. The intent was after all to only have a fast stopover so the passenger may obtain medical remedy, however that’s not what ended up occurring…
Why passengers have been stranded in Istanbul for 34 hours
Sadly the diversion to Istanbul didn’t go as easily as anticipated. In the course of the medical diversion, the aircraft’s oxygen provide for emergencies was used, and this wanted to (understandably) get replaced earlier than the aircraft may proceed.
Passengers have been initially saved on the aircraft for 4 hours, because the timeline for the oxygen being changed saved getting pushed again. Ultimately the crew timed out, that means they’d want some relaxation earlier than persevering with the flight.
In consequence, passengers have been then ushered into the terminal. Lengthy story quick, the flight solely ended up persevering with to Bangalore at round 4:55AM two days later, 34 hours after the flight initially diverted.
At this level the flight operated the 6hr16min flight to Bangalore, the place it landed round 36 hours not on time.
Right here’s how Lufthansa justifies this in a press release:
“For security causes, the oxygen cylinders used to deal with the medical emergency have to be changed earlier than persevering with the flight. sadly, this took extra time than initially anticipated. Lufthansa deeply regrets the circumstances and goes every part to attenuate the inconvenience for its passengers.”
What an all-around irritating scenario
By all accounts Lufthansa didn’t deal with this case nicely. After being saved on the aircraft for 4 hours, passengers largely reported being deserted by workers, and never receiving correct updates and communication concerning the delays.
Stranding passengers in a terminal for 34 hours is merciless, plain and easy, particularly for the aged, these with younger youngsters, and so forth. Some passengers reported getting their very own e-visa and reserving their very own lodge and onward journey, to keep away from this mess. Some passengers even struggled to remain related with household, given Istanbul Airport’s restrictions on complimentary Wi-Fi utilization.
Whereas that is clearly a horrible scenario, I can’t assist however no less than acknowledge that airways are in an unenviable place with these sorts of diversions:
- In fact a medical diversion is dear for an airline even underneath the very best of circumstances, and is exterior of a provider’s management
- I’ve to think about the Lufthansa crew did every part they may to get the oxygen changed as rapidly as attainable, and that this, too, was exterior the provider’s management (Lufthansa pilots are obsessive about punctuality, if nothing else)
- Airways have crew relaxation insurance policies they must observe within the title of security, and there’s merely no flexibility there
- The logistics of diverting to a 3rd nation on a visit is sophisticated, since in lots of circumstances folks could not have the paperwork required to enter a rustic, which may very well be required to get a lodge, and so forth.
- Discovering snug lodging for 300+ folks, particularly in an airport, isn’t any small activity
Passengers notice that the airline did attempt to discover them lodge rooms (presumably on the airside lodge) and supply them lounge entry, however there have been capability limits on every, given the variety of folks on the flight.
Many passengers on the flight are arguing on social media that Lufthansa’s dealing with of this case reveals the corporate’s disregard for Indian passengers, and the way the airline takes them without any consideration. Some passengers are calling on Indian regulators to take motion towards Lufthansa over this diversion.
Backside line
A Lufthansa Boeing 747 scheduled to fly from Frankfurt to Bangalore diverted to Istanbul attributable to a medical emergency. Getting a alternative oxygen tank (required to proceed the flight) allegedly took for much longer than deliberate, after which the crew finally timed out.
Ultimately, passengers have been stranded for 34 hours, with many being caught within the terminal with no lodging. What a horrible scenario for passengers to be in.
What do you make of this Lufthansa diversion scenario?
