The national airline, Maldivian, passengers stranded in Trivandrum, Bangalore and Cochin have expressed concern.

Maldivian passengers were stranded at three destinations in India after a technical problem with the airline's Airbus A320 flight.

The flight left Velana International Airport (VIA) yesterday for India but returned due to a problem. The airline has not yet released any details.

Passengers scheduled to fly on Maldivian told Adhadhu that they found out they could not depart when they arrived at the airport and no arrangements were made despite the flight facing problems yesterday.

The passengers accommodated at hotels only get breakfast and Maldivian has asked them to arrange lunch and dinner themselves.

Noting that tickets have been purchased from IndiGo for some passengers, one person said that those who came relying on the weight limit of Maldivian luggage had to pay for their luggage to travel in IndiGo.

"I am not happy with the arrangements of Maldivian. They brought us to the airport knowing we would not be able to depart. We had to stay in the airport for so long. When they sent us to hotel, it is not acceptable that we had to pay for meals. This did not happen because of our fault."

The passenger said that the sick and the elderly did not get food at the airport for many hours and did not meet any Maldivian employees to communicate.

Maldivian Corporate Sales Mohamed Naseer told Adhadhu that about 200 passengers were stranded in Trivandrum, Cochin and Bangalore and efforts were underway to facilitate their departure.

"Passengers are being given various options. Some people have been sent to hotels. Some people are being refunded and tickets purchased from other airlines. We are trying to bring passengers as soon as possible. We don't know exactly when everyone will be brought," Naseer said.

Maldivian passengers have been stranded in India before. It was due to a technical problem with a flight.