Singapore Airlines CEO ‘Very Sorry’ For Flight Turbulence That Killed One

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong on Wednesday apologised over the incident where one of its flights, SQ321 underwent severe turblence leading to the death of one passenger onboard. The Boeing 777-300ER with a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board from London made an emergency landing in Bangkok after expriencing the severe turbulence.  

Addressing the incident through a video message, Phong said the company was “deeply saddened” by the incident in which more than 20 people were injured.

“Yesterday, approximately 10 hours after departure, Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, operating from London Heathrow to Singapore encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawdy Basin at an altitude of 37,000 feet. The flight had 211 passengers and 18 crew members,” said the CEO. 

“The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the Boeign 777-300ER aircraft to Bangkok, landing at 3:45 pm local time, he added. 

On the fatality and multiple injuries, Phong expressed “deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased” on behlaf of the airlines. 

“We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 went thorugh,” he said.  

The CEO said that the company swiftly dispatched a team to Bangkok for assistance and a relief flight broght back 143 of the SQ321 passengers and crew members, who were able to travel, to Singapore on Wednesday morning. 

“Another 79 passengers and six crew members are still in Bangkok. This includes the injured who are receiving medical treatment, as well as their families and loved one who were on the flight,” he added. 

According to an AP report, the plane plunged down 6,000 feets over a span of about three minutes. The aircraft stayed at 31,000 feet for just under 10 minutes before rapidly descending and landing in Bangkok in just under half an hour, the report said.

Singapore’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong extended his condolences to “family members and loved ones of the deceased.”