Stranded Jetstar passengers to get full refund

PASSENGERS who were due to travel on a flight from Phuket to Sydney have received a full refund after they were left stranded on the resort island for two days due to technical issues.

Jetstar flight JQ28 was expected to depart from Phuket’s International airport at 9pm local time on Monday, however the flight was cancelled forcing all 290 passengers to spend Australia day in Thailand.

After spending the night on the island passengers returned to the airport yesterday and after proceeding through security checks, immigration and onto the plane, were told for a second time the flight would not go ahead.

The plane is expected to depart Phuket tonight and arrive in Sydney early tomorrow morning.

Jetstar issued a statement which said that the cancellations were due to two separate technical issues, and all passengers were given two nights’ accommodation, with the airline covering costs for meals and airport transfers.

The airline said that it had offered a refund for the full return airfare as well as a $600 travel voucher as compensation for the disruption.

One passenger on the flight said that tempers flared as passengers were left waiting with little explanation.

The passenger said that after disembarking the aircraft, she had to deal with local ground staff, who were unable to offer any information.

It is believed that children who were expected to return from school holidays were also aboard the flight.