HONG KONG- A Singapore Airlines (SQ) flight bound for Singapore Changi (SIN) encountered a technical issue at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) on September 10, resulting in a four-hour ordeal for passengers.
Flight SQ893, originally scheduled to depart at 3:40 PM, was grounded on the tarmac due to an unspecified technical problem.
Singapore Airlines Hong Kong Cancellation
The captain informed passengers about the issue early in the afternoon, explaining that engineers would conduct further checks. Despite the prolonged delay, passengers remained calm throughout the ordeal.
However, a brief power outage caused concern when the cabin lights and air-conditioning systems temporarily shut down, creating a warm and stuffy environment.
To mitigate passenger discomfort, airline staff distributed juice and water during the extended wait. At approximately 7:30 PM, nearly four hours after the scheduled departure time, passengers received news that the flight had been canceled.
Disembarkation procedures began shortly after, with passengers finally leaving the aircraft around 8:00 PM.
The aircraft involved in the incident is Airbus A380-841, registered as 9V-SKU. It is a 7.5-year-old aircraft and is powered by four Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines.
One passenger, identified only as Ms. Tan, 59, shared her experience with Strait Times. She revealed that Singapore Airlines had rebooked her on a Cathay Pacific (CX) flight scheduled to depart for Singapore at 1:40 AM on September 11.
Expressing her eagerness to return home, Ms. Tan’s sentiment likely echoed that of many fellow travelers affected by the cancellation.
Official Remarks
Singapore Airlines (SIA) confirmed with ST that Flight SQ893 encountered a technical problem while on the ground at Hong Kong International Airport. The issue persisted despite multiple attempts by ground engineers to resolve it, ultimately leading to the flight’s cancellation.
An SIA spokesperson stated that all passengers and crew members disembarked from the aircraft safely following standard procedures. The airline has committed to assisting affected customers by rebooking them on alternative flights to their destinations.
The spokesperson emphasized SIA’s commitment to passenger and crew safety, stating, “The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority.”
SIA expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers, with the spokesperson saying, “SIA sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience caused.”
Similar Incidents
Last year in September, American Airlines (AA) Flight AA2818 from New York LaGuardia (LGA) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), faced a significant delay exceeding 5 hours due to adverse weather conditions and the resulting backlog of aircraft attempting to reach their respective destinations.
Airlines are prohibited from subjecting passengers to lengthy tarmac delays exceeding 3 hours for domestic flights and 4 hours for international flights. Failure to inform customers of their right to deplane and not facilitating this right can result in fines for airlines.
Similarly, A British Airways (BA) passenger receive $2,550 as compensation following a seven-hour wait on the tarmac.
Kiemon Stewart, a former Royal Air Force pilot, was scheduled to travel from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Belfast (BFS) on October 2. However, inclement weather conditions prompted a significant delay as the aircraft missed its scheduled take-off time.
These delays due to weather, congestion, and technical faults are common and passengers often experience them. The best way to handle such a situation is to stay calm and ask the crew politely why this happened. Passenger also has the right to deboard the aircraft if it’s delayed by more than 3 hours.
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