S'pore-bound SIA flight from Brisbane with 287 on board diverted to Perth over 'technical issue'

A Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight carrying 272 passengers and 15 crew members from Brisbane, Australia, to Singapore diverted to Perth due to "a technical issue" on Jul. 7.

Without specifying the technical issue, an SIA spokesperson told Mothership that the flight, SQ246, landed "uneventfully" at Perth Airport at 4:58am (Perth time) on Jul. 8.

All 287 people onboard the A350-900 aircraft disembarked normally, and a replacement aircraft is bringing affected passengers to Singapore at the time of writing.

Spent 7 hours in air

According to FlightAware, SQ246 took off from Brisbane Airport at around 9:50pm (Singapore time) on Jul. 7.

It was expected to arrive at Singapore Changi Airport around eight hours later at 5:45am on Jul. 8.

Before making a turn towards Perth, the flight nearly flew across Australia.

It landed at Perth after spending approximately seven hours mid-air.

SIA 'providing all necessary assistance' to affected passengers

In response to Mothership's queries, a Singapore Airlines spokesperson confirmed that SQ246 was diverted to Perth on Jul. 7, adding that SIA "sincerely apologises to all affected passengers for any inconvenience caused".

Noting that the safety of its customers and crew is always SIA's "top priority", the spokesperson said all 272 passengers and 15 crew onboard the aircraft disembarked normally after an uneventful landing.

According to the spokesperson, passengers were provided with food and beverages while waiting for a replacement aircraft.

Later on, the flight was renumbered to SQ9224, and the replacement aircraft, which departed Perth at 4:38pm on Jul. 8, is estimated to arrive in Singapore at around 9:40pm.

"We are providing all necessary assistance to the affected passengers, including the rebooking of connecting flights and hotel accommodation in Singapore, if required," read the statement.

Top image via FlightAware & Singapore Airlines/Facebook