S'pore-Tokyo SIA flight lands in Taipei due to cracked windshield: Passenger claims situation 'messy' after landing

A Singapore Airlines (SIA) plane from Singapore to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan was diverted to Taipei, Taiwan in the early hours of Oct. 28.

In response to queries by Mothership, an SIA spokesperson said the flight, SQ636, diverted to Taipei due to a cracked windshield that occurred mid-flight.

Diverted in final stretch

A Mothership reader onboard the plane said the pilot had announced the diversion approximately 30 minutes before landing, citing "technical issues".

He also described the four hours after landing as "mayhem”.

Passengers in business and first class were given access to an airport lounge, while passengers in economy class were directed to wait in a general area, it was claimed.

Pilot announced diversion

"It was a rude shock to all of us," the reader recalled, upon hearing about the diversion.

When he asked crew members what the issue was, they apparently replied that they did not know and had "never experienced something like this before".

Passenger claims lack of communication on the ground

After landing, the situation on the ground was a "huge mess", the traveller said, adding that there was a lack of communication from airport staff.

There was no proper triage system, and the staff could not explain the situation clearly, he claimed.

No food and water

Many passengers were "confused" and were apparently left without food and water for the first four hours.

After about four hours, first class passengers were granted access to the lounge, where food and drinks were available, it was observed.

Business class passengers, unhappy with being excluded, eventually gained access after lodging complaints, the passenger also claimed.

It was observed that economy class passengers continued to wait in the general area.

Appalled

The reader shared that he was "appalled" by the service rendered by Singapore Airlines: "I have been a huge SIA loyalist since the beginning, clocking more than 20 flights annually."

"While safety comes first, I feel that they need better ways of communicating and coordinating issues on ground," the reader added.

"Basic welfare like water, food should not be taken for granted."

SIA's statement

The SIA spokesperson said the plane, a Boeing 777-300ER, with 249 passengers and 17 crew on board, landed uneventfully at Taoyuan International Airport at around 4am local time on Oct. 28, 2024.

There is no time difference between Taipei and Singapore.

Hotel accommodation was arranged for the affected customers where necessary and the flight has been renumbered to SQ9876 and will depart Taipei for Tokyo's Haneda airport today at 8:30pm, it was added.

"SIA sincerely apologises to all affected customers for the inconvenience caused. The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority," the SIA spokesperson also said.

Top photos from Mothership reader and SIA's website