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United Airlines passengers stranded on plane for seven hours at Canberra airport United Airlines passengers stranded on plane for seven hours at Canberra airport
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of passengers on a Sydney-bound international flight were stranded for almost seven hours on the tarmac at Canberra airport after the plane was diverted. Hundreds of passengers on a Sydney-bound international flight were stranded for almost seven hours on the airstrip at Canberra airport after the plane was diverted.
For most of the ordeal, passengers were unable to leave the aircraft because the domestic airport could not process them through immigration, and the pilots had clocked too many flying hours to continue to Sydney.For most of the ordeal, passengers were unable to leave the aircraft because the domestic airport could not process them through immigration, and the pilots had clocked too many flying hours to continue to Sydney.
The United Airlines flight UA863 from San Francisco was diverted to Canberra after debris was found on the Sydney airport tarmac, and the designated runway was shut down for 35 minutes on Friday morning. The United Airlines flight UA863 from San Francisco was diverted to Canberra after debris was found on the Sydney airport runway, and the designated strip was shut down for 35 minutes on Friday morning.
The plane was forced to land in Canberra rather than circle Sydney because of fuel concerns after more than 16 hours of flying.The plane was forced to land in Canberra rather than circle Sydney because of fuel concerns after more than 16 hours of flying.
Another United Airlines flight bound for Sydney from Los Angeles was diverted to Brisbane because of the runway debris.Another United Airlines flight bound for Sydney from Los Angeles was diverted to Brisbane because of the runway debris.
Some passengers were allowed to leave the aircraft briefly to stretch their legs on the tarmac and were given food and refreshments. Passengers were reboarding the flight around 4pm for its return to Sydney, the ABC reported. Some passengers were allowed to leave the aircraft briefly to stretch their legs on the airstrip and were given food and refreshments. Passengers were reboarding the flight around 4pm for its return to Sydney, the ABC reported.
“It’s an unfortunate situation,” a spokeswoman for Canberra airport said.“It’s an unfortunate situation,” a spokeswoman for Canberra airport said.
Frustrated passengers took to social media to vent their anger.Frustrated passengers took to social media to vent their anger.
“Seriously this no joking matter anymore. Latest is we have to wait for 2 Qantas pilots to be flown here,” one tweeted.“Seriously this no joking matter anymore. Latest is we have to wait for 2 Qantas pilots to be flown here,” one tweeted.
“31hrs since I left NYC flying @united just finished 2nd leg to SYD delayed and now stuck in Canberra..@sydneyairport please explain?”“31hrs since I left NYC flying @united just finished 2nd leg to SYD delayed and now stuck in Canberra..@sydneyairport please explain?”
United Airlines apologised for the mishap. “We know this is an inconvenience & we will get going quickly,” the carrier replied on Twitter.United Airlines apologised for the mishap. “We know this is an inconvenience & we will get going quickly,” the carrier replied on Twitter.
Canberra is United’s designated alternative destination for diversions.Canberra is United’s designated alternative destination for diversions.