Passengers Sit on Tarmac for More Than an Hour

Airline apologizes for inconvenience, refunds tickets

LAVINGTON, Veroche--More than 160 passengers aboard a Swiss Air flight were forced to sit on the tarmac for more than an hour Friday afternoon.

Passengers aboard Christon-bound flight 190 were not allowed to leave the plane while it sat on the tarmac at Lavington International Airport, as the pilot and maintenance crews inspected the plane's wheels and hydraulic system.

A spokeswoman for Swiss Air told the NPF it is standard company policy to keep all passengers on board the plane if a maintenance problem emerges after the plane has already been boarded. The pilot and flight crew acted in accordance with company policy, she said.

But passengers say they should have been allowed to leave the plane and go back to the terminal.

"It's very frustrating when you rush to catch a flight and then you just sit there immobile for an hour and you can't move or go anywhere," one passenger told the NPF.

The National Aviation Authority (NAA) made clear that government rules do not require airlines to hold passengers on flights, except in extreme cases of suspected terrorism or criminal activity.

"There is nothing in our policy that requires airlines or pilots to necessitate the forced witholding of passengers on a plane while on the tarmac during inspection," spokesman Chris Wingle told the NPF.

A spokesman for Lavington International Airport said the mid-sized facility also does not have a policy requiring passengers to stay on the tarmac.

"This was a decision totally up to the airline," Josh Hammil said.

While on the tarmac, passengers were given food and water, and were allowed to use their cell phones and other electronics.

The airline has since apologized and given customers full refunds.

"It was never our intention to inconvenience our passengers. Our flight crew followed company policy, which is in place to ensure the safety and comfort of all Swiss Air customers," a spokeswoman said in a statement to the media.

The NAA is investigating the incident.