Oxygen shortage reportedly strands 78 Malaysia Airlines passengers

Dhaka: A Malaysia Airlines flight from Chennai to Kuala Lumpur left two and a half hours late on October 12 after an oxygen shortage reportedly forced the airline to deny boarding to 78 passengers.

Flight MH181 was scheduled to depart at 11:55 pm on October 11 with 178 passengers. It eventually took off at 2:20 am with only 100 on board.

The airline did not officially explain the delay or the reduced passenger count. Sources, however, said the oxygen shortage was the reason some travelers were not allowed to board.

Aviation experts said a chemical reaction generates oxygen when overhead masks are pulled during an emergency.

Airlines declare certain seats inoperable if the chemical oxygen generator is not working, which could explain the denied boardings.

In a social media post, one passenger said travelers were stranded for more than six hours without water or information. The passenger said airline staff gave no proper response.

Malaysia Airlines later apologized online. It acknowledged the distress caused by the prolonged delay, uncertainty over travel arrangements, and lack of timely updates, particularly for passengers with onward connections.

Chennai airport sources confirmed that the airline arranged alternative flights for the stranded passengers.