Over 3,000 passengers stranded after 48 flights were cancelled as Sibu Airport closed until 10pm Sunday following MH2718 belly landing

Over 3,000 passengers left stranded as Sibu Airport closes

BY ANDY CHUA

image: http://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/online/2017/04/08/16/43/skid-plane-sibu-0804.ashx/?w=620&h=413&crop=1&hash=0AF906950482A2C3E547ADE4397183AF5A2628CB

 

SIBU: Over 3,000 passengers were left stranded after 48 flights were cancelled as the Sibu Airport was closed until 10pm Sunday.  

This follows after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH2718 skidded upon landing at the Sibu Airport at 10.17pm on Saturday after a downpour.  

In a statement Sunday, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd said the closure is to allow investigation into the incident and to carry out repair works to the aircraft.

The initial plan was to close the airport until 10am Sunday.  

Sibu Airport manager Zainuddin Abu Nasir told reporters that the airport closure resulted in the cancellation of 28 MASwings flights, AirAsia (16) and MAS (four), affecting 3,787 passengers. 

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was carrying 61 passengers and six crew members when it skidded and landed in an awkward position. 

All on board safely disembarked via two slide rafts. No injuries have been reported.  

The cause of the incident is being investigated by the Department of Civil Aviation.  

It is learnt that the aircraft attempted landing during the downpour.

Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/04/09/passengers-stranded-after-sibu-airport-closes/#dQLuTSTtfXiPuVzU.99