In a statement, Batik Air said as a gesture, the company would contact all affected passengers to extend them special complimentary vouchers.

“The cause of the incident is currently being investigated and we will build on any lapses in our operations for continuous improvement of our customer service delivery.

“We deeply regret that the delays have caused much inconvenience to our passengers and their families,” the statement read.

Batik Air said food vouchers were provided during the delay but not accommodation due to hotels being fully booked and no food outlets being open past midnight at the terminal.

“We have no intention of causing the delay to be prolonged and we would like to reassure the public that the situation has been rectified and our operations at the KLIA terminal have resumed to normal,” it said.

This came after transport minister Loke Siew Fook urged Batik Air to issue an apology and be held accountable for the incident.

He said so last night in response to Twitter user Firdaus Jailan (@firdausjailan) who said he had been stranded at the airport for more than seven hours due to the delay.

Firdaus’s video tweet, which has amassed more than one million views, showed stranded passengers sleeping on benches near the departure gate, with the flight information display system not showing any flight delays.