Malaysia Airlines Cancels Amritsar Flight Twice, Stranding Families at KLIA

Malaysia Airlines flight cancellation has caused significant distress for travelers heading to India. The flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Amritsar, India, was cancelled twice over two days. This repeated flight cancellations left families, including young children and the elderly, stranded at the airport.

A passenger, Gurmukh Singh, reported the initial flight was scheduled for Friday evening. The airline first cited bad weather in Amritsar as the reason for the delay. Passengers were then accommodated in a hotel for the night.

Operational Transparency and Passenger Care Concerns

The rescheduled flight on Saturday evening was cancelled again. This time, the airline reportedly cited a lack of landing slots in Amritsar. The flight was then rescheduled for Sunday morning. The Amritsar flight delay and second cancellation forced many passengers to sleep at the airport.

Mr. Singh noted that other flights were landing in Amritsar. This raised serious questions about airline operational transparency. The city of Amritsar, in Punjab, is a major Golden Temple pilgrimage site. The delays meant travelers lost valuable time from their spiritual visits.

Context of Amritsar Airport Operations

Industry data shows that Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (Amritsar) often faces challenges. Dense fog and poor visibility are common during the winter months. While the airport uses the CAT-III B Instrument Landing System for arrivals, this technology may not support departures in low-visibility conditions. This technical limitation can lead to an aviation customer service issue. It creates a backlog for departing flights.

Regulatory Oversight and Passenger Rights

The Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) governs MAVCOM passenger rights for flights operating in Malaysia. Under the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code (MACPC), airlines must offer specific care. For delays of five hours or more, this includes meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is needed. For cancellations, passengers are entitled to a full refund or rerouting. This applies even if the disruption is due to "extraordinary circumstances" like bad weather.

• Key Takeaway: Airlines must offer a full refund in the original payment mode if a delay exceeds five hours and the passenger chooses not to continue.
• Key Takeaway: Airlines must also provide accommodation for overnight delays.

This incident highlights the need for clear communication during a passenger service disruption. Airlines must provide timely and accurate updates to travelers. This is especially true when technical or weather issues cause an Amritsar flight delay. Aviation stakeholders must prioritize traveler well-being. This ensures compliance with consumer protection codes. For more commercial aviation news and updates on flight operations, visit flying.flights.

Malaysia Airlines has been contacted for an official statement regarding the two-day disruption.