Simon Calder : “Singapore Airlines: Future Plans After Doomed Flight”

Singapore Airlines has confirmed that a relief plane flew into Singapore early Wednesday morning with most of the passengers who were on a flight that was hit by severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean. The flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok after one man tragically died and dozens of passengers were injured.

According to the airline, 143 passengers arrived in Singapore shortly after 5 am, while an additional 79 passengers and six crew members remained in Bangkok for further medical treatment. The airline’s CEO, Goh Choon Phong, stated that a second relief flight was planned to bring the remaining passengers back home.

The incident occurred on Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321, which was en route from London’s Heathrow airport to Singapore with 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board. The Boeing 777 aircraft experienced severe turbulence, causing it to descend 6,000 feet in about three minutes. The sudden drop led to chaos inside the plane, with passengers and crew members being thrown around.

Goh Choon Phong expressed deep regret for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 endured. He reassured that the airline was providing all necessary support to the affected passengers and vowed to fully cooperate with investigations into the incident.

The passengers on the flight represented a mix of nationalities, including 56 Australians, two Canadians, and individuals from various other countries. Tragically, a 73-year-old British man named Geoff Kitchen lost his life during the turbulence. As investigations continue, authorities are looking into the possibility that he suffered a heart attack.

Geoff Kitchen, a retired individual who was known for his involvement in the amateur theatre scene, was on holiday with his wife at the time of the incident. His passing has deeply saddened his community, with the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group praising him for his honesty, integrity, and dedication to the group.

Passengers who arrived in Singapore were greeted by airline officials and their families, with emotional reunions taking place at Changi Airport. Meanwhile, embassy officials from the UK and Malaysia visited hospitals in Bangkok to check on the injured passengers.

One of the passengers, British national Andrew Davies, recounted the chaos on board the flight, mentioning that crew members were also injured during the turbulence. Another passenger, 28-year-old Dzafran Azmir, described how some passengers sustained injuries from hitting overhead baggage compartments.

Following the incident, Boeing extended condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and offered support to Singapore Airlines. The Boeing 777 aircraft, widely used for long-haul flights, is considered a reliable and popular choice among airlines worldwide.

Singapore Airlines, known for its exceptional service and safety record, operates a fleet of over 140 aircraft, including the Boeing 777-300ER variant involved in the incident. The airline’s parent company, majority-owned by Singapore’s Temasek government investment conglomerate, also operates the budget airline Scoot.