Passengers stranded as Air Malta flight misses night deadline

Air Malta passengers due to arrive from London last night  ended up arriving today after their flight just missed the 11 p.m. deadline for departing flights from Heathrow.

The airline explained that the outgoing Malta-London flight -  KM102 - on Sunday afternoon was delayed  by two hours due to late incoming of aircraft and adverse weather conditions in London. The late arrival of the aircraft was caused due to a stretcher case.

Although all the passengers on the return flight were onboard and all formalities were  ready, the aircraft was prevented from leaving Heathrow due to the night jet ban which came into force at 11 p.m.  

The passengers were disembarked, given refreshments, dinner and hotel accommodation in London.  Some of them were brought over to Malta  this morning and the rest flew in this evening, Air Malta said.   

The airline said it had done its best to minimise any discomfort and apologised for the inconvenience caused.