SINGAPORE: Hundreds of passengers were stranded after their flights on the budget airline Scoot were delayed.
Callers to the MediaCorp News hotline said flights from Singapore to Bangkok in Thailand and back, and flights from Singapore to Tianjin in China were affected.
One caller reported that more than 300 passengers were stuck at Changi Airport after their scheduled flight TZ88 to Tianjin did not take off.
A Scoot spokesperson said the issue arose when due to technical reasons, the airline was not able to accommodate 23 people booked on the Bangkok bound flight.
After unsuccessfully seeking volunteers, the last 23 passengers to check in were told that they could not board and would be given tickets on the next day's flight plus compensation - in accordance with the terms and conditions they accepted upon purchase of their tickets.
The spokesperson said regrettably the 23 passengers would not accept the offer.
A large group of their friends who were already in the boarding area then became disruptive and would not let the flight board.
Eventually, after a lengthy delay, 23 other passengers agreed to travel at a later date and the aircraft left for Bangkok.
The aircraft deployed to Bangkok, upon its return to Singapore, subsequently operates to Tianjin.
The spokesperson added that because of the delayed departure to Bangkok, its return to Singapore was also delayed and, hence, the Tianjin flight too.
Some passengers who had checked in for the Tianjin flight returned home, while others stayed in the airport and have been provided meal vouchers and refreshments.
Scoot said it sincerely regrets the disruption.
- CNA/ck
Hundreds stranded as Scoot flights delayed
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Hundreds stranded as Scoot flights delayed
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Hundreds stranded as Scoot flights delayed
