Two Thailand-bound SIA flights delayed on the same day after technical issue with aircraft
The affected flights were SQ710, bound for Bangkok, and SQ732, bound for Phuket.
On August 15, two Singapore Airlines (SIA) flights destined for Thailand faced significant delays due to technical issues with their respective aircraft. The first affected flight, SQ710, bound for Bangkok, and the second, SQ732, headed to Phuket, each experienced delays exceeding four hours.
Upon inquiry, an SIA spokesperson disclosed that the Boeing 787-10 aircraft scheduled for flight SQ710 encountered a technical issue with its air-conditioning system while grounded. Consequently, the flight departed Changi Airport four hours and forty-five minutes later at 4.49pm, with passengers promptly relocated to a replacement aircraft while SIA engineers worked to rectify the problem.
Similarly, the Boeing 737-8 aircraft designated for flight SQ732 experienced a technical issue with a wing slat while on the ground, causing the flight to be delayed by the same duration. Departing Changi Airport at 7.46pm, the plane landed in Phuket at 8.32pm local time. The spokesperson explained that due to the prolonged resolution time and the risk of the original crew exceeding their regulatory flight time limits, a replacement aircraft and crew were arranged accordingly.
In response to the inconveniences faced by the passengers, 272 on SQ710 and 117 on SQ732, SIA issued apologies. The airline assured that all affected customers received food vouchers, regular updates, and necessary ground assistance, including rebooking on alternative flights. Safety of passengers and crew remained the top priority, as stated by the spokesperson.
The airline had previously faced similar issues; for instance, an SIA flight to New York returned to Changi Airport shortly after take-off in August 12 due to a technical problem with the aircraft’s hydraulics system. Another example was a Seoul-bound SIA flight that had to return to Changi Airport on August 4 after experiencing a technical issue while in the air.
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