Australian passengers have been caught up in a travel nightmare in Athens after they boarded a plane they say was “billowing smoke” just hours earlier.
According to 7News Qatar Airways flight QR-204 was due to depart Athens, Greece, at 2 p.m. on Monday and fly to Doha, Qatar, with many passengers expected to continue on to Melbourne.
The flight never left the tarmac, however, and passengers, including 7NEWS employee Jodie Grocock, labelled the entire ordeal as “appalling”.
The smoke was extinguished, but the passengers were still boarded on the flight with “no communication” about what had happened, Grocock said.
Grocock stated that it was a 35-degree day in Greece, but it felt like 45 degrees on the plane since the air conditioning and restrooms were not working.
Passenger Louise Morfis caught the smoke rising from the plane on video and said she tried to bring it up with officials, but they informed her there was no smoke.
“I was a little bit anxious. I actually asked the ground staff in Greek if it is safe to board, and he looked at me like: ‘What are you on about?’” Passenger Louise Morfis said.
Grocock said the passengers were given a letter to request compensation but doesn’t know what it would be. 7NEWS has contacted Qatar Airways for a response.
Source: 7News
