KLM592 took off on time from Johannesburg (JNB) last night, but during the flight Europe went into “variant panic.” When the Boeing 777-300ER landed in Amsterdam (AMS), Dutch officials did not know what to do with the passengers onboard…so they let them sit.
For hours. And hours.
KLM Flight From South Africa Trapped On Tarmac In AMS
Stephanie Nolen from the New York Times was onboard and has offered play-by-play on Twitter of what has transpired:
So I’m in my 3d hour on a tarmac at Schipol. While my flight from Jo’burg was somewhere over Chad, Europe went into variant panic; by the time we landed, we weren’t allowed off the plane.
They won’t even let a catering truck bring us water.— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
It’s hard not to see this as South Africa being punished for the fact that it has world-class scientists, doing some of the best Covid surveillance in the world, and is transparent about what they find. https://t.co/356pkUs7uX
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
Current rumours in European media are that everyone on my plane, regardless of vax status or test results, will have to do 2-week quarantine. So you can imagine the mood on this plane.
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
Really feeling for the people with babies and toddlers, who were already managing kids after an 11 hour flight that took off at 1 am. THE WORST.
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
I will also say, the @KLM crew has been incredibly graceful and polite in face of all this.
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
BUT ALSO. I am surrounded by MORONS who don’t even have their masks on.
When we’re marooned because of a possibly vaccine-proof variant. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE.— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
Also, SO MUCH RESPECT for health care workers + anyone in a job that requires them to wear an N-95 for a long shift. I’ve now had 1 on for nearly 31 hours (my trip originated in Lusaka on Thursday morning) And my nose is down to the last layer of skin, jusssst about to bleed
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
Teeeeny bit ironic that I was IN South Africa to report on the amazing work they are doing surveilling variants, among other things.
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
Speculating, with the folks seated around me: if the US CDC had announced a new variant, with 22 confirmed cases, yesterday – would all flights from the US have been barred from Europe?
Just speculating.— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
It’s Hour Four on tarmac. If anyone other than the 350 of us is counting.
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
Vigorous round of applause because there is a BUS that has come to take us …. somewhere. We do not know where but we are still giddy enough to think it has to be better than here.
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
Update: bus to a hall to a huge queue. I can see COVID testers in bright blue PPE far on the distance. Still no snacks for the sad babies. (And hangry adults. There was some SNARK coming off the plane)
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
Shame, man. A lovely Scottish person is explaining to an elderly Zimbabwean lady who was on the plane what has happened and why we are stuck here. She hadn’t understood any of it. They’re helping her call her daughter. Possibly the last person on flight 593 capable of kindness.
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
We’ve reached the “angry middle aged men bellowing about their human rights” stage of travel disruption
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
What a world. Best wishes to the passengers onboard KLM 592 as well as KLM flight 598 from Cape Town.
image: KLM
Clown world.
You wouldn’t say that if you had been on that plane. A friend of mine who was there told me minute to minute what she endured. There was no water or food and, for non-Europeans, not even a place to sleep. If you don’t call that inhumane treatment I don’t know what you would
This woman, if she is indeed a journalist, would be better off not commenting until she has calmed down. She appears to be suggesting that the world should not react to a new variant. It’s an argument for sure, but consensus is that we should have reacted to Delta much more quickly and early science points to Nu being far more contagious.
Again, if she is indeed a journalist who is specialising in COVID science, she should be aware of the need for speed in reaction to new knowledge, as are the South African scientists who raised the warning. And she should be aware that travel involves risk in that borders can be closed with little notice.
Her complaints about mask compliance discount anything helpful she might have had to say. She is already suspect since she works for the Times.
Totally agree. I can’t imagine any reason to read the times. Just based on her Twitter feed she thinks paper masks are magic, that the EU hates Africans and middle-aged men are the enemy.
Isnt it true that everything that comes from Africa, the Europeans and Americans looks at it with a different eye?
You always exaggerate and make it appear as if it is the most dangerous and contagious thing that any part of the world can have.
Her and other people in the flight asked a very simple question, if us had made such a discovery and that flight was coming from the US was it going to be handled the same way as this one coming from Mzansi (SA)?
I respect the journalist for speaking the truth that is so uncomfortable to some of you
This variant have been circulating for weeks. It’s everywhere by now and are we really going to wreck the world economy for every single variant out there? Its here and its going nowhere, so if you’re afraid stay at home and let the test of us go on with our lives.
Allow me to throw stuff on the subject COVID virus, was initially declared no different then annual flu. By an American knows it all”Trump”. If had any shame, he should not be contemplating to be President again.
Oh look, Biden is commenting! And he writes only slightly better THAN (thrn is a time) he speaks!
Hahahahaha! Joe Biden is very “special”… Lol! And – yes – Donald Trump was the greatest President – ever! From Tax Cuts and a booming economy (pre-China Virus) to no new wars started and standing hy Israel, from real wage growth to energy independence, from Opportunity Zones to School Choice, from VA Reform to the First Step Act, from securing the Southern Border to getting NATO countries to pay more of their fair share, from tearing up the sham that was the Iran deal to brokering peace between Israel and some of her neighbours – the Abraham Accords, from appointing conservative Justices to the SCOTUS to taking on China economically… Etc. Etc. Etc.
The list goes on and on of all his brilliant achievements – achievements despite all the resistance from Democrats and constant attack, 24/7, in the liberal media.
Joe, my heart is saddened for your current circumstances.
I AGREE with you about the Freaking former POTUS Trump. He is a lying sack o”—, on his best day.
He is the scum of the earth and
we can only hope that he will
catch covid again (i don’t believe that he had anything other than a cold) & have to suffer. I dont like feeling tgat way abt another person…then again ~ he’s not really a humanoid, is hs?
●face it….he’s a moaning pos.
Let’s hope that he crawls back under a rock someplace else and stays there.
Peace, dear Joe. Feel better.
Always blame Trump, after all everything in the world is his fault.
And there it is. The stupidest thing I have read all day. Congrats.
I mean is your probably with Trump or how he actually made America a better then great place to live. Everything was cheaper no wars talked about as much it was the way things should be and I’m sorry I’m not trying to defend Trump completely but wishing someone would suffer from the virus our current person at the white house completely had part in making it and getting it out to everyone but he probably doesn’t even know he did such a thing.i would say I feel sorry for him but I don’t. All bad reigns end and good always wins. You do know that wishing harm on another soul brings it back on you 10 folds. I’ll pray for you and I hope you don’t get covid and suffer. I wouldn’t wish that on the worst person on this earth.
Donald Trump was the greatest President – ever! See my reply to Joe for just a brief list of some of his achievements.. 🙂
Joe, feel so terribly sorry for you, on your way to dementia. Trump, the best president the USA ever had.
Oh joe I guess you didn’t get your lets Go Brandon tee shirt in the mail this week. Go back to the basement and stay there
Talk about calming down. At the time of this knee-jerk reaction by the UK it had not been proven that this new variant was more virulent or contagious. So please allow these unfortunate travellers to vent at the stupidity of the so called authorities.
You are ignorent.
How about kindness, just to offer food to the kids or stop the flights to their country altogether
She is definitely not being out of line. Read carefully with an open mind.She is merely saying how long she has been on the flight and is being humane enough to feel for the kids and parents on board And does not criticise authorities in that country but merely informs all that food/ refreshments were not served .You are correct all travellars should be prepared for any mishaps …but do read again with total comprehension of the writers feedback to the world which is factual and not criticizing but a very good report of a journey involving all passengers . I apologise on her behalf for not letting you submit your report and biased comments .
The fear porn will never end.
You really think this idiot in the White House is better than Trump ?
Still way better. And if the republicans would stop blocking progress it be even greater. Clean energy is the way of the future and having a civil leader who doesn’t attack the other half of the country at every turn is what the country needs most. Someone who lives in reality not their own made up world like trump.
That Is about the dumbest comment on here. Let’s go go Brandon!!
I’m sure the governments are 100% on this. No reason to think they wouldn’t be totally correct. Fauci will come out with more uncertain vague language and the fear hamster wheel keeps on spinning
Of course they are in on it. What else would they be planning at their yearly ultra secret ultra secure Bilderberg Group meetings.
Exactly Will! Panic-porn fear-mongering by governments, the liberal media and their complicit false-narrative manipulators… Absolutely evil what they are doing. Stuff the vaccines too – Ivermectin is all we need.
Agreed entirety with you Nick. Too many morons gobble all that the media is spreading at the “abiding” folks. They follow like sheep and go out harassing those that disagree and see through the avalanche of brainwashing and fake news. Thousands of people have been dying of flue, TB, Malaria, etc, every year in Africa much more than the so-called Covid19
Reports are that AA is flying in a 777 with 350 Turkey Pastrami sandwiches so as to aid in the care of the trapped passengers.
@Stuart. LOL. The chemical content of those nasty sandwiches would make most of us immune to anything.
So right 9n sir..the entire plannedemic is about genocide and depopulation….this is political suicide.
It seems as if a slightly altered version of ‘The Terminal’ is now real due to the incredible stupidity of either the Dutch/Europe/airport management.
Making this particular flight hold on the taxiway seems really smart. Because the exact same flight that arrived yesterday was completely safe? And the one the day before that because thus new dealio was only dangerous since yesterday???
It’s been spreading for weeks, maybe months but let’s completely panic and punish this flight.
Are these incredibly stupid politicians gonna do this for every single mutation? If so, this fear porn will never end because Covid is with us FOREVER. People will get sick and deaths will occur and whether Covid was the cause or not it will be blamed/involved.
If you’re old or already sick or even afraid, take whatever precautions you need. Otherwise, we are moving forward.
This episode is embarrassing.
I So agree!! By all means don’t let the people off the plane from South Africa, but let them cross our southern border illegally!!!! Tired of all this political bullshit!!!!! Mandate vaccines and masks for US citizens, but send hundreds of thousands of sick people and criminals throughout the US without any restrictions. YEAH RIGHT Biden and his administration is so crooked and evil Also tired of all this racist shit that they are stirring up trying to divide our country and erase our history. History is how we learn from our mistakes and it can’t be undone. Also no one should have to pay for what happened a hundred years ago! That is so idiotic!!!!! I don’t know how we are going to survive the rest of Biden ‘s administration. I pray to GOD for his help! For He is Our Savior!!!
Well said Deb!! And remember to vote Republican in November 2022. 🙂
Yes, certainly well said.
Well said Geoff! Utter, utter rubbish what is going on!
Great reporting by Karen Nolan. Sounds like we’ve reached “middle aged white women” level complaining on this flight. Just put down your phone and stop tweeting my dear.
Maybe they should just shoot everyone….just in case?
The absurdity of this is beyond comprehension. Its time to economically strangle these countries that continue this charade. Even when they claim to “lift restrictions” or “green light” or which ever laughably stupid moniker they choose to use…..don’t go back and spend your hard earned money. F them…..let them drown.
Well said. Do not support these countries
I totally agree with you Chris, no due diligence was undertaken before placing South Africa and neighbouring countries on the red list. Stupid part is that some of the countries still allowed to travel to Europe, don’t have the scientific capabilities that South African virology experts have. In as much as it might hurt the South African Tourism sector, it is time we also return the favour of red listing be these European countries and build domestic tourism. Charity begins at home after all
This panic is so ridiculous and old. I am so tired of it. If its a breakthrough variant its gonna spread anyway just like all the others and we will have to deal with it the best we can.
Hummm, a NYT journalist feeling the pain of wearing masks on planes? LOL!!!
Trump is just as to blame as Biden
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWv9BT_Faw6/
Are you serious?? When all else fails blame Trump?? The current administration has proven to be ineffective and dangerously close to lunacy!
I voted for Trump in 2020 but at this point seems like they are all in on it, if you haven’t noticed.
Trump is not to blame. When the Wuhan Virus hit – he was the first to shut down flights to and from China – yet he was called “racist” for it – including by the same delusional clown who stole just way into the White House – Joe Biden. Trump was faced with an unprecedented situation – and he handled it best he could. His one mistake was trusting vermin like that Josef Mengele reincarnate – Dr. Fauci.
I used to agree on all accounts and points. Now, I’m not so sure.
Trump was a better president than your clown, by far. He stood up and acted. Old Joe does as he is told by the party, period.
You are a moron, the guy in the W.H. is a sick old fart who is destroying the US. Trump was a great President who did his level best to restore law and order and erase the nonsensical agenda of Obama and his side kick Joe the gaffer.
This really does have me considering the idea of ever leaving my house. Not for fear of COVID, but for the fear of being trapped by idiots who have somehow been put in charge and are clearly clueless.
Refuel the plane and fly to a military base. Where tests can be conducted
It should not be that difficult, then again we have moron in charge!!
She’s insufferable. Being stuck on a plane with her would only make things much worse.
This is indeed surprising given the Dutch organization. I would have assumed that if the flight(s) were enroute and less than halfway between SA and NL – plans would have been put in place so that the pax would not have to wait hours on the tarmac. It’s not like the airport doesn’t have a holding area for them. I also thought masks were still compulsory on all flights worldwide ? Do the covid tests being conducted at the airport for the incoming pax on these flights scan fro the new variant ? Hmmmmm…..
Apparently, a PCR test can pick up whether someone has Nu, which is why the South Africans were able to isolate it so quickly.
There is no COVID test, PCR or otherwise, that distinguishes between any variant. The delta variant — no test showed us that someone had that. The powers that be said they did.
that isn’t true. while PCR tests that you take at CVS wouldn’t distinguish between variants, many countries are sequencing the genomes of randomly chosen virus samples, to figure out how the variants are spreading and how the virus is evolving. A variant is of concern when it seems to be spreading particularly fast in a community even though other strains are present — that can be an indication that it is somehow more contagious or more successful at infecting people. 22 cases doesn’t seem like a lot, but I haven’t read about the methodology here.
Obviously they can’t do this with all samples, but if they take samples the right way they can over time map things out. South Africa is actually very good at this. True, if South Africa were less diligent, more like the US where the authorities discourage testing and don’t really want to know whether there are variants of concern or not, then all passengers would have deplaned safely.
I have seen zero proof of what you say aside from talking heads like Fauci saying it’s true.
@Acura – here you go: https://www.esr.cri.nz/our-expertise/covid-19-response/new-news-page/ A very informative article about how genomic sequencing works on PCR test samples, in this case in New Zealand.
Thanks Max but I am not trusting -anything- official out of dictatorships like NZ and Australia at this time.
Max. I tend to agree with this. Despite how 180 and unofficial this meme is, the sentiment and theory is likely still correct: https://www.instagram.com/p/CWy0gTsl8Ll/
Four tweets in, and we’re at the snarky-journalist-bitch-showing-off-by-putting-the-stink-on-middle-aged-men stage.
Plus some humble-brag about how religious she’s been with wearing a mask. She’ll carry the marks on her nose like stigmata, showing off for weeks, until it’s time for her next nose job.
Gotta confess, whether I agree with you or not, this was really funny.
Exactly my thoughts. A piece of work, but expect nothing more from a trashy, garbage NYT writer.
Did you go to a “Special School ” to become an ass$&@$ or is just an innate ability on your part??? Oh I know, it just your me-centeredness personality shining through…must be an overindulged and tolerated American, lol. 31 hours on a plane would tend to make one cranky, so can you cut another soul some slack???
Yep just another mask Karen I was liking this post until I figured out she is just another bitter man hater and virtue signaling about masks and quarantine. NYT TRAS
and in the news this morning;
61 of 600 passengers from South Africa infected with coronavirus
Of the 600 people on the two KLM planes that returned from South Africa on Friday, 61 people have tested positive for the corona virus. It is not yet known whether they are infected with the new Omicron variant, this is still being investigated. Earlier in the day, the GGD assumed that 85 passengers would receive a positive result. This estimate was made when 110 results were known, 15 of which were positive.
The infected persons are housed in a guarded isolation hotel at or near Schiphol. They stay there for at least seven days if they have complaints and five days if they have no complaints. Anyone who receives a negative test result must be quarantined at home for five days to be tested again after five days.
Turns out, 61 people came back positive on those 2 flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town according to South African news
Just woke up to this. And that’s just the first day of testing. This is incredible. That’s 10% of the 600 tested thus far on two flights. There will probably be more in the next few days. I guess the early analysis that this strain is 500% more transmissible compared to Wuhan is ringing true. What’s left to be seen is if it has the same ability to make you sick or die. So, this would be a pretty good indicator that HEPA air filters on planes are nothing to Omicron. Further, what’s concerning, is that you can assume that everyone on those flights was vaccinated.
Just, wow.
Was the HVAC system not running while they were stuck waiting for hours? We cannot be sure that the infection took place during the flight or on the ground. Also, how soon would they test positive after exposure?
So basically while world governments continue to convince people to take these vaxines, they clearly have shown they don’t trust the vaxines they market
So what is the point plus it is absolutely idiotic and fear induced.
You can not condemn and demonize a whole nation
If I remember correctly when USA was heavily in a pandemic the vaxed wee allowed to travel unabated no qaueantine no tests
This smacks of anti africanism..
If you are vaxinated and are clear why can’t you travel
Fact this is here we have to live with it you can’t keep banning countries just because
2ndly SAS political climate has a big role to play in this, our ruling party has been for months now trying to find ways to impose harsh restrictions in December but couldn’t justify it
They also lost heavily in the local elections especially gauteng their strong hold
Not only that up until a few days ago we were only seeing 100 to 200 odd cases minimal fatalities
Also there was a call to disband the covid war council
Now suddenly into Dec high infections
As for Europe it’s disgusting how they are reacting,
It is total fear port and demonizing innocent people
No doubt to justify the airplane on the tarmac they will invent an infection in the passengers and go see. Just to hide their shame
Well here’s some news for you just because they alleged it was found in a south african actually its slowly arriving this may be possibly originated in europe..let’s see if they ban flights then from European countries coz I tell you know their gov are going to lock down the countries this December and blame the variant…you deserve it for your witch hunting and false accusations
I am proudly a vaxinated covid free south african
Based on the news this morning from the KLM flights yesterday it doesn’t matter anymore where this originated. The fact is that we could be a few days away from all travel being shut down globally, and not just from Africa.
Thanks for your comments among a lot of negative comments.
I’m to the point where I do not trust anything that Fauci says. As for all these (variants) I do not trust that either. It is probably all the same one and these scare tactics is just that, at least in my opinion. COVID is Covid. Anything to scare the people and get them to comply with their tactics. Yes take precautions, but not to the point where they are getting you scared out of your wits. Remember God knew when we were going to be born and He knows when are leaving this world, whether it with Covid or just an illness. So calm down, after all God is still in control.
I totally agree with you! I’ve said the same all along! Humans’ “life-term” has been pre-determined before birth…… No “oopsies” in life/death, whether you take precautions or not. If it is your last day/hour on earth, it will surely end, no matter what you plan/do to try to extend your life on earth! Humans need to let Nature run its course without interference! Humans are Nature’s enemy! Nature keeps humans’/animals’ numbers in check to save the planet. Everything is part of a “food chain” to ensure the survival of the fittest/strongest to benefit life in its totality in Earth’s existence. There is NEVER a mistake/accident in Nature as long as humans don’t interfere! Nature knows best and NO precautions will change it’s predetermined course!
The reason this is the second variant discovered in South Africa is because SA has world class HIV doctors checking HIV variants by way of regular blood work. Lots of testing going on, hence SA is the ‘hub’s of new Covid variants. Sadly the SA economy is the collateral damage as SA doctors do the right thing by keeping the world informed.
@Matthew – OMAAT has it that 10% of the passengers on KLM’s SA flights tested positive for Covid 19, about 61 (!) passengers in total although the number of Omicron infections is currently unknown…make of it what you will 🙂
She is showing great restraint and patience. Accurate written and calm reporting. She sees the importance of quarantine and caution.
Travel should not be allowed if you are not vaccinated. Your vaccination passport should allow you to travel, or you ain’t going no where! Whether you travel in your own country or abroad you should not be allowed in public places without your Covid vaccinated passport. It should in fact be mandatory to be vaccinated!
I’m not sure if you understand that you can get COVID even if you are vaccinated & spread it to others, both vaccinated or unvaccinated people. So in that case, if people aren’t vaccinated, they are taking a risk on their health, not the vaccinated people’s health. But let’s just say everyone in the world is vaccinated. The variants will still be here. So some vaccinated will get COVID & infect other vaccinated people. Some people will die. So you’ve got vaccinated people infecting other vaccinated people. So really, why should vaccines be mandated? I’m unvaccinated & still don’t plan to take the shot. I had COVID & luckily for me, it was not any worse than any cold I’ve ever had and some colds have been worse. I barely had symptoms, runny & congested nose & cough, lost taste for awhile. No fever, no sore throat. I did all activities I normally do, just quarantined. I don’t take the flu vaccine either & never had the flu. BTW, I’m 62.
Gail, this so called ‘vaccine’ does not stop anyone from getting infected or passing the virus on. All it does is allow your immune system to cope better with the virus when you are infected.
People are deluded into believing that the vax is the end all be all! PEOPLE wake up and stop drinking the kook aid. WE MUST VET AND CHALLENGE EVERYTHING THE MEDIA HAS TO SAY REGARDING Covid and it’s many vax’s. Start thinking for yourselves and employ the brain God gave YOU!
Would love to know how many from Johannesburg and how many from CapeTown had the positive testing.
This is now a waiting game. Are they definately positive
How could they not be positive on previous test before boarding the plane
Did these “positive” people sit close to each other on the plane
Dit they wear their masks 24/7
Was it People travelling from other States in Africa or other countries
Were tests tampered with
Were test equipment faulty
Were all medical staff doing the test Covid free …
My 5cents – if my test was negative in SA I would have myself re-tested
I would take on KLM for not enforcing basic COVID rules for people not wearing mask or not wearing itcorrectly.
Thank you to the journalist who did not induce panic but was just reporting a very human response anyone would have in this situation whether or not vaxxed. I am not. Being stuck on a plane for that many hours with children not having access to food would make anyone upset
We are all human
We all have our own reactions
Let people express
I cannot make sense out of all these remarks . A lot of praise for S A scientists – obviously well trained after the HIV denial and SA still having the highest HIV positive cases in the world. TB and more. Assume most remarks made by non- SA. Only those living in SA know what is going on in that Country and how mismanaged. Still it is corrects S A has many excellent scientists
Let us just ban everyone from travelling to each other country then.
I can’t believe all the stupid politics comments. I
Have my options, but this article isn’t about politics, it is about a flight, the arrival and delayed response by the Dutch.
If you have never flown in an 12-27 hour international flight, you don’t have the perspective to relate. At the end on one of those flights, EVERYONE on board is tired, generally the cabin is a mess and all anyone wants to do is get out of the plane.
Here writing is relating events and doesn’t show the real frustration of all on board.
If you think you need to toss Trump, Biden or your irrelevant political views into things outside the US such as this, then you need to do a reality check. Get outside the country and find out what others think of the US and our “entitled” citizens. It can be pretty sobering.
So much for the notion of “Dutch efficiency”
Then we should ban everyone from travelling,