Stranded ARIK passengers
Over 100 passengers were left stranded at the Freetown international airport in Lungi on Sunday by Arik Air after the plane failed to show up, according to some of them.
They say the Booing 737/800 series eventually showed up on Monday morning when the passengers breathed a sigh of relief. However after they had boarded they were asked to disembark because the flight developed a problem.
Arik Air could not be reached on why that was, but airport and aviation sources gave two conflicting accounts. They say they were informed by the airline that a bird had entered the plane's engine causing some problem. Passengers said they were sceptical about that account, which they said the airline had also told them, as they saw no feathers where the bird were said to have entered.
Other sources say the plane developed a tyre problem.
Arik could not be reached for their comment.
As hopes were being dashed however, another plane arrived and rescued the passengers late yesterday evening.
(C) Politico 10/12/13
