SINGAPORE: A Singapore Airlines (SIA) plane carrying 272 passengers and 12 crew members struck an aerobridge at Changi Airport on Tuesday (Sep 18). Singapore Airlines flight SQ178 was scheduled to depart Singapore for Ho Chi Minh City at 9.45am.
The flight was delayed after the forward fuselage of the Airbus A330-300 struck the rear aerobridge during pushback at Changi Airport, an SIA spokesperson said.
“All passengers and crew members disembarked normally via the forward aerobridge. Arrangements were made for passengers to be accommodated on another aircraft to Ho Chi Minh City,” the spokesperson said.
The damage to the aircraft is currently being assessed and investigations will be carried out to determine how the incident occurred, the spokesperson added.
Several in-flight announcements were made to inform passengers of the situation. After the passengers disembarked, they were escorted to another gate and provided with refreshments.
As a result of the delay, the flight departed Singapore at 12pm and arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at about 12.45pm time – an hour and 55 minutes behind schedule.
In a statement on Wednesday, Changi Airport Group (CAG) spokesman Ivan Tan said that the aerobridge was slightly damaged in the incident, but has since been repaired. CAG will work with the relevant parties on the investigations.
It also said that ground personnel provided assistance to the affected passengers.
“CAG will work with the relevant parties on the investigations,” it added.
Tuesday’s incident was the latest in a string of woes for Singapore’s national carrier.
This is not the first time a plane has been damaged on the ground at Changi Airport.
In November last year, a tow tug caught fire as it was pulling an SIA Boeing 777-200 to a departure gate.
The aircraft was crossing the bridge above Airport Boulevard Road when the tow tug caught fire.
There were no passengers aboard the aircraft at the time but the fire damaged the plane, which had to be grounded for repairs.
Source : Channel NewsAsia | The Straits Times
