Asiana "Over 70 Passengers Bound for Almaty, Kazakhstan Have Moved to Hotel"

Large-Scale Protest Crowd Incident Fire Safety Equipment Standby
Return Flight Schedule Undecided... Airport Operations Uncertain

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Asiana Airlines announced on the 6th that passengers and crew members who had been stranded at Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan due to a local protest occupation have safely left the airport and moved to a hotel.

An Asiana Airlines official stated, "Due to the large-scale protests in Kazakhstan, passengers and crew members waited at the airport's fire facilities until the afternoon, and with the help of the Consulate General, they have now safely moved to a local hotel."

The Incheon-Almaty flight OZ577, which departed Incheon Airport at 3:54 PM the previous day, arrived at Almaty Airport, Kazakhstan, at 11:26 PM (Korean time) on the same day.

The local Almaty Airport was controlled by a large-scale protest against soaring fuel prices in Kazakhstan, and a total of 77 Asiana Airlines passengers and crew members (including 8 crew members and 1 infant) had to wait inside the aircraft and at the airport's fire facilities.

Among the passengers, there were 29 Koreans in total, and 34 passengers (27 Koreans) along with 8 crew members moved to the hotel. The remaining individuals are reported to have moved individually to safe locations.

The schedule for Asiana Airlines' return flight is still undecided. An Asiana Airlines official explained, "As the local protests intensify, airport operations are impossible, and communication is not smooth."

Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan, large-scale protesters occupied the city hall and international airport of Almaty, the largest city, to protest the soaring fuel prices. The Kazakhstan government promised to lower gas prices, but the situation has not calmed down.