Centrum Air passengers stranded at airport for over a day

Due to a technical malfunction on a Centrum Air aircraft, a flight scheduled to operate on the Kazan–Tashkent route was delayed by 27 hours. As a result, more than 200 passengers were left stranded at Kazan International Airport. The airline reported this on its official Telegram channel.

According to the statement, the flight was initially scheduled to depart at 9:30 a.m. local time on December 21. However, due to technical issues, the departure was postponed several times. On Sunday, December 21, the flight time was changed at least four times—first to 10:30 a.m., then to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Eventually, the flight was rescheduled for December 22.

Throughout the day, passengers were not provided with clear or consistent information. Initially, the flight was announced as delayed, after which passengers were told they could collect their baggage and that ticket refunds could be processed within 30 days. Later in the evening, it was announced that the aircraft might still depart.

According to a Centrum Air representative at Kazan Airport, a technical fault was detected in the aircraft’s wheel, and its replacement continued until the evening. Subsequently, the flight was postponed until the morning due to mandatory crew rest requirements.

However, the flight scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on December 22 also failed to depart on time. Passengers were boarded at 9:20 a.m. and were then forced to wait onboard for more than three additional hours. Airline representatives explained the delay by stating that Russian authorities had not granted clearance for the flight.

As a result, 214 passengers remained at the airport from 9:00 a.m. on December 21 until 12:30 p.m. on December 22—a total of more than 27 hours. According to available information, the aircraft eventually departed in the afternoon on December 22.

Passengers were offered hotel accommodation on the evening of December 21, though many declined the offer.

Initially, Centrum Air stated via its Telegram channel that the flight had been postponed until 3:00 p.m. due to “technical reasons.” Later, the airline issued an official statement regarding the situation at Kazan Airport, noting that measures were being taken to support passengers.

The company reported that water and hot meals were provided, and requests were submitted to accommodate all 214 passengers in hotels. Those wishing to stay in hotels were directed to the Tri A and Amaks hotels.

The airline noted that replacing the aircraft wheel proved difficult and time-consuming due to sanctions imposed on Russia.

As compensation, Centrum Air offered passengers a promo code providing a 25 percent discount on future flights, free seat selection, and additional baggage allowance.

It is worth noting that earlier reports stated that Centrum Air had sold two tickets for the same seat, leaving some passengers unable to board the aircraft.