Taipei-S'pore SQ879 flight on Oct. 31 cancelled due to typhoon, passenger returns to S'pore 43 hours later

Singapore Airlines flight SQ879, which was originally scheduled to depart Taipei, Taiwan for Singapore at 5:35pm on Oct. 31, was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions caused by Typhoon Kong-Rey.

One passenger, who was caught in the cancellation, told Mothership he only arrived back in Singapore some 43 hours later at about 11am on Nov. 2, after he was transferred to another flight operated by another airline — only to be re-transferred again back to SIA.

The original flight from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport to Changi Airport typically takes about five hours.

According to the passenger, Hafiz, what ensued after the original flight's cancellation was chaotic and tiring, highlighting the recurring issues with air travel when extreme weather hits.

What happened

SQ879 was scheduled to depart Taipei at 5:45pm on Thursday, but the timing got brought forward to 3:35pm, and then pushed back 4:30pm.

When Hafiz, who was in a group of six people, got to the boarding gate, the first sign that something was up was obvious.

"An announcement was made for us to be refunded for our duty free purchases if we made any," he said.

"At that point I knew something was up and got anxious."

The passengers were informed that the flight would be cancelled at around departure time as the plane could not land due to the typhoon and was diverted to Hong Kong.

The previous flight at 2:10pm was able to depart for Singapore though, Hafiz noted.

This was to be the start of a rough two days for those stranded.

Info sparse after cancellation

Dinner vouchers were handed out at around 7pm.

After dinner, there was still no word about any rescheduling of flights or a stay at a hotel in Taiwan for those stranded at the airport.

Close to 8pm, the passengers were informed that they would be staying at a hotel.

Once at the hotel at around 10pm, there were no updates about rescheduling of the next available flight back to Singapore.

Information about rescheduled flights

On Nov. 1, between 2am and 4am, SIA informed Hafiz and his group about the rescheduled flights.

The group he was travelling with had to split up.

The first leg involved flying on China Airlines.

There were three separate routes back to Singapore at different timings.

1. 6:20am: Taipei to Penang via China Airlines and to Singapore via SQ

2. 2:40pm: Taipei to Ho Chi Minh via China Airlines to Singapore via SQ

3. 1:35pm: Taipei to Manila via China Airlines to Singapore via Philippines Airlines

Hafiz was allocated the third route to Manila and then to Singapore.

His route back home was not going to be smooth.

Another delay out of Taipei

The China Airlines flight out of Taipei to Manila was supposed to depart at 1:35pm, but was eventually delayed.

Hafiz and a companion reached Manila at 6pm, which was already more than 24 hours after they were supposed to depart from Taipei for Singapore.

More than 40 affected passengers got off and handed over their passports to four airport staff for the transfer, recounted Hafiz.

The connecting flight on Philippines Airlines was at 7:50pm.

They missed it.

At this point, the passengers were left without their passports and boarding passes as they were handed over to airport staff.

The China Airlines staff were apparently also not available by then.

The passengers then contacted Singapore Airlines on their own as the China Airlines and Philippines Airlines were unable to assist them.

SIA stepped in

SIA staff managed to reschedule flights for the passengers to depart on Nov. 2 at 7:20am.

Hafiz said: "We found it surreal that all our suggestions offered to Philippines Airlines staff were ignored and we had to resolve it ourselves with the help from SIA."

But the next few hours were another round of playing the waiting game.

The passengers were left stranded at the airport for a few hours, and only left for the hotel at 11pm.

Upon arriving at the hotel, there was a full SIA recovery team with a manager to brief them on what is going to happen, Hafiz said.

They were scheduled to fly to Singapore via SQ915 at 7:20am.

A bus was chartered at 5:30am.

Accompanied by SIA staff, the passengers managed to clear immigration.

Hafiz said: "I have to commend the SIA team in Manila for the swift handling and assurances, as well as our flight back from Manila via SQ915."

"The stewardess and stewards were amazing in caring for us, more so because my friend was battling with a fever during the whole ordeal."

SQ915 landed in Singapore on Saturday at about 10:45am, which was close to two days after the passengers were supposed to return.

SIA response

An SIA spokesperson told Mothership it assisted to rebook the affected customers on alternative flights from Taipei to Singapore, including on flights operated by other airlines via Manila in the Philippines.

SIA added that it understands that 46 customers who were transiting in Manila were unable to board their connecting flight to Singapore due to operational reasons.

SIA arranged hotel accommodation for the affected customers in Manila, and rebooked them on alternative SIA flights to Singapore on Nov. 2.

"SIA sincerely apologises to all customers for the inconvenience caused," the national carrier added.

"The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority."

Top photo via Google Maps