Singapore Airlines CEO, Goh Choon Phong, expressed his apologies on Wednesday following an incident where flight SQ321 experienced severe turbulence, resulting in the death of a passenger. The Boeing 777-300ER, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members from London, had to make an emergency landing in Bangkok due to the extreme turbulence.
In a video message, Phong conveyed that the airline was “deeply saddened” by the event, which left more than 20 people injured.
“Yesterday, nearly 10 hours after takeoff, Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, traveling from London Heathrow to Singapore, encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet,” stated the CEO. “The flight had 211 passengers and 18 crew members.”
“The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to Bangkok, landing at 3:45 pm local time,” he added.
Regarding the fatalities and numerous injuries, Phong extended “deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased” on behalf of the airlines.
“We deeply regret the traumatic experience endured by everyone aboard SQ321,” he stated.
The CEO mentioned that the company promptly sent a team to Bangkok to provide support, and a relief flight returned 143 of the SQ321 passengers and crew members, who were able to travel, to Singapore on Wednesday morning.
“An additional 79 passengers and six crew members remain in Bangkok. This includes those injured who are receiving medical care, as well as their families and loved ones who were on the flight,” he continued.
As reported by AP, the plane descended 6,000 feet within approximately three minutes. The aircraft maintained an altitude of 31,000 feet for nearly 10 minutes before making a rapid descent and landing in Bangkok in roughly half an hour, according to the report.
Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s new Prime Minister, offered his condolences to “family members and loved ones of the deceased.”
