SINGAPORE- Leading Asian carrier, Singapore Airlines (SQ) faced significant operational challenges due to heavy rainfall, and flights were disrupted over the weekend. The prolonged bad weather caused widespread delays, affecting passengers and operations.
Singapore Airlines apologized for the inconvenience caused and emphasized safety as its top priority. The carrier assured passengers that it would continue monitoring the situation closely and make necessary adjustments.
Photo: Siddh Dhuri | MumbaiPlanesSingapore Airlines Flight Disrupted
Heavy rainfall in Singapore and its surrounding regions disrupted air travel over January 10–11, significantly impacting Singapore Airlines’ schedule.
According to a spokesperson, over 50 flights were delayed or rescheduled due to persistent rain and adverse weather conditions.
The rainfall began early on January 10 and continued through January 11, accompanied by reports of flooding and water ingress in high-rise buildings, which further disrupted infrastructure in some areas.
Changi Airport (SIN), Singapore’s primary aviation hub, experienced the heaviest impact, recording 255.2mm of rainfall over two days.
This amount exceeded Singapore’s average monthly rainfall of 222.4mm for January, according to the Public Utilities Board (PUB). The agency confirmed that moderate to heavy rainfall affected most parts of the country and would likely persist until January 15.
Singapore Airlines issued a formal apology to passengers for the disruptions and assured them that the safety of customers and crew remains its top priority.
The carrier stated that it is actively monitoring the weather and will make necessary adjustments to ensure minimal disruption while prioritizing passenger safety.
Affected passengers were encouraged to check the latest flight updates and plan accordingly. The airline also reiterated its commitment to providing support during the delays.
The heavy rainfall caused not only flight disruptions but also logistical challenges across Singapore. Local reports detailed traffic delays and disruptions in essential services, such as elevator operations in high-rise buildings due to rainwater ingress.
The Public Utilities Board highlighted that such heavy rainfall, while unusual, underscores the importance of resilient infrastructure to manage extreme weather events.
Photo: AirbusSimilar Incident
Adverse weather conditions have disrupted Singapore Airlines operations in the past, highlighting the challenges of ensuring smooth travel amidst unpredictable climates.
On January 5, Singapore Airlines Flight SQ52 experienced significant delays caused by snow and ice accumulation at Manchester Airport (MAN), resulting in multiple diversions and nearly 10 hours of delay.
The flight, an Airbus A350-900 registered as 9V-SMW, departed Changi Airport (SIN) at 2:13 AM Singapore time, bound for Manchester as part of its route to Houston (IAH), Texas.
Snow-covered runways at Manchester Airport led to a 3.5-hour closure, forcing Flight SQ52 to divert to London Gatwick Airport (LGW), where it landed at 9:48 AM UK time. Similar disruptions impacted other flights, with some diverted to Paris, Dublin, and Glasgow.
After a brief stop at Gatwick, the aircraft attempted to continue its journey to Manchester. However, persistent adverse conditions forced the plane to circle over the Peak District National Park for 45 minutes before returning to London.
The flight finally landed in Manchester at 7:11 PM UK time, far behind its scheduled 9:25 AM arrival.
Singapore Airlines responded by accommodating passengers in hotels, rebooking missed connections, and maintaining communication with those impacted.
Following the initial runway closure on January 5, Manchester Airport implemented another temporary shutdown on January 6 to address snow and ice accumulation.
These weather-related disruptions created a ripple effect across regional operations, affecting multiple carriers and highlighting the importance of proactive safety measures in extreme conditions.
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