2nd SIA South Africa-S'pore flight delayed in Dec. 2024 due to 'technical reasons'

A Singapore Airlines flight SQ481 from Johannesburg to Singapore was scheduled to depart on Dec. 11, but was rescheduled twice and pushed to Dec. 13.

According to a Mothership reader, the flight was to depart at 10:30pm (4:30am SGT) on Dec. 11, but passengers were notified around 2pm that it had been moved to 7am (1pm SGT) on Dec. 12 to allow airline crew members to rest.

However, when passengers arrived at the airport for the flight on the morning of Dec. 12, the flight was delayed for a second time due to a "technical issue".

Passengers were told around 11am (5pm SGT) that the flight had been further delayed by a day as a part had to be specially flown in from Singapore to fix the issue, said the reader.

The flight number had also been changed to SQ9479, added the reader.

While accommodation and meals have been provided, there were "many unhappy passengers", said the reader, citing examples of how some were on their honeymoon and others just starting out on their holidays.

This delay comes just a few days after another SIA flight from Cape Town to Singapore was delayed from Dec. 10 to Dec. 11 due to a technical fault.

SIA apologises to those affected

In response to queries from Mothership, an SIA spokesperson said that the flight was initially retimed to depart on Dec. 12 for operational reasons.

However, the aircraft encountered a "technical issue" whilst at Johannesburg's O.R Tambo International Airport.

Although engineers were brought on site to rectify the issue, they realised a spare part was needed, thus, the additional time needed for repairs, explained the spokesperson.

To mitigate the situation, meal vouchers were distributed, and overnight hotel accommodations were arranged for all affected.

"The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority," said the spokesperson, adding that they were sincerely apologetic about the disruption.

SQ9479 has since departed Johannesburg on Dec. 13 at 11:02am (5:02pm SGT), and is scheduled to land at 3:15am SGT on Dec. 14.

Top image from SIA/Facebook