13 February 2008
On January 29 of this year, Air Astana’s Flight 898, a
Boeing 767, from Dubai to Almaty began preparation for take-off in the
usual manner. Passengers had taken their seats and the plane was ready
to be towed to the taxi strip. At that time, the aerial navigation
control system gave instruction to delay the takeoff for 10 to 15
minutes because of a minor technical problem with the auxiliary power
supply unit, which caused the cabin lights to go off. Engineers were
called to check the equipment. The captain made an announcement in
Kazakh, Russian, and English languages via the public address system to
inform the passengers of the cause of delay. After the engineers
rectified the defect, the captain notified the passengers that the
aircraft was ready to continue the flight. As the aircraft was
approaching the taxi strip, the problem with the auxiliary power supply
unit recurred. The engineers were recalled and the defect was promptly
rectified.
The engines were started and the plane was ready for takeoff. Some of
the passengers on the flight, concerned with the character of the delay,
asked the captain to confirm that the aircraft was operational. The
captain came out to the passengers and announced that the plane was
fully prepared for takeoff and that all aircraft systems were in good
order. The crew took all possible measures to calm down the passengers.
Most passengers were satisfied with the information received from the
captain and members of the crew, and took their seats and thanked the
captain for his assurance of the absence of threat.
However, as the aircraft was approaching the airstrip for take-off, two
male passengers attempted to enter the pilot’s cabin, which is
prohibited under International Air Transportation Association
regulations, a policy which is strictly observed by Air Astana. On the
way to the pilot’s cabin, the male passengers were stopped by the chief
steward. The two passengers then tried to use force, with one of the
passengers even demanding that the door of the plane be opened. In
accordance with International flight safety regulations concerning
destructive behavior aboard an aircraft, the decision was made to
terminate the flight and remove the troublemakers from the plane.
After the incident, some passengers refused to continue with the flight
despite the persuasion and assurances of the crew and representatives of
the air company. This caused further delays because of the procedure
concerning passengers and baggage deplanement. The rest of the
passengers safely arrived in Almaty on the same Flight 898. Those who
remained in Dubai were brought to Almaty by subsequent flights of the
company.
Air Astana understands and shares the inconveniences caused to the
passengers and offers its apologies. The company has sent letters to all
passengers of the flight, with the exception of the troublemakers, with
the proposal to upgrade the class of air tickets (contingent upon
availability of unfilled seats) during their next flight on Air Astana
or carry an additional 15 kg of luggage in any direction serviced by the
company.
For additional information, please contact:
PR Department
Air Astana
Tel.:+7 727 258 41 35, ext. 161
E-mail:
Zhanna.Badaubayeva@airastana.com