'Even the crew didn’t know': confusion as AirAsia flight bound to Incheon divert to Gimpo

AirAsia flight D7 506 from Malaysia to Incheon made an emergency landing at Gimpo Airport at 8:08 p.m. on Wednesday. A photo shows passengers expressing confusion after finding out they were at Gimpo. (X)

AirAsia, the Malaysia-based low-cost carrier, is under fire after a flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport landed at Gimpo International Airport instead of its scheduled destination, Incheon Airport, news reports said Thursday.

Originally set to reach Incheon at 7:50 p.m. on Wednesday, AirAsia flight D7 506 reportedly touched down at Gimpo at 8:08 p.m. after circling in the air.

According to passengers on the flight, after the captain announced they had arrived at Incheon, people stood up to retrieve their bags from the overhead compartments, but some looked out the windows and checked their phones to find they were at Gimpo.

“Everyone panicked. It seemed the cabin crew didn’t know we landed at Gimpo until passengers told them. One crew member even said she needed to call her parents, who were waiting for her at Incheon International Airport,” Lee Mi-hyun, a passenger in her 40s who was returning from a trip to Malaysia with her husband and 8-year-old daughter, told The Korea Herald.

Lee Mi-hyun's husband and daughter wait inside the plane after its emergency landing at Gimpo Airport on Wednesday, while passengers stand nearby asking crew members about the situation. (Courtesy of Lee)

AirAsia announced Thursday afternoon that the flight diverted to Gimpo International Airport due to “air traffic congestion” over Incheon. The plane refueled there before departing again for Incheon at 10:17 p.m., about two hours later.

“The flight had diverted to Gimpo International Airport earlier in the evening (of Wednesday) for refuelling following air traffic congestion at Incheon Airport due to adverse weather conditions.” the company said in a press release."

Lee noted that the crew failed to adequately handle the situation during the two hours before departure for Incheon.

“They appeared just as confused as the passengers. No water was offered, and there was almost no food left on board, leaving passengers with children upset. Some even said they would rather get off at Gimpo before the plane departed for Incheon,” she said.

The captain and crew apologized over the PA system as the plane headed to Incheon, where it landed at 10:59 p.m., according to Lee.

Some passengers criticized the airline for failing to provide a clear explanation of the situation.

“During the two hours before we departed for Incheon again, there was no clear explanation of what caused the landing error or any effort to reassure passengers," another passenger surnamed Ryu, 39, told The Korea Herald.

Addressing criticism of the captain and crew’s handling of the situation, the airline said it was simply a "misunderstanding in communication" that was later resolved.

"Safety is our highest priority, and the captain acted in full accordance with standard operating procedures. The captain also apologised to guests for the inconvenience, reassuring them that the landing at Gimpo was to to refuel and that the aircraft will proceed to its original destination," it said.

Meanwhile, AirAsia CEO Benyamin Ismail vowed to carry out compensation procedures for passengers inconvenienced by the sudden diversion.

“We thank our guests for their understanding and cooperation during this operational adjustment, which was necessary to ensure the safety of everyone on board. As a good will gesture, AAX will be extending travel vouchers and will be reaching out to the affected guests directly," he said in a statement.