RSAF plane to evacuate S'poreans departs Changi Air Base for Riyadh, passengers won't be charged

The A330 aircraft deployed by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) to evacuate Singaporeans stranded due to the Middle East conflict has departed for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) departed Changi Air Base in the early morning of Mar. 10, said Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad in a Facebook post.

"Amidst the lack of feasible commercial options, many Singaporeans have requested for assistance to return to Singapore, in the midst of the conflict in the Middle East," he wrote.

"The Singapore Government has deployed the MRTT to bring them home. This is an important mission and we will do our utmost to ensure everyone returns safely."

Mothership understands that passengers on the flight will not be charged.

One meal will be provided on the journey.

Each carrier can carry up to about 266 personnel, depending on the aircraft’s configuration and operational requirements, and take up to 200 passengers, according to a Mindef factsheet.

More repatriation flights

The flight was first announced by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Gan Siow Huang on Mar. 9, who said that Singaporeans across several countries in the region have expressed interest in returning home.

“The situation on the ground continues to be fluid, and many commercial airlines and airports are not ready to resume operations,” she said.

Because of this, Singapore decided to organise additional repatriation flights.

A second flight is also being planned for Mar. 12, depending on developments and logistical arrangements.

Singapore previously deployed two repatriation flight to Muscat, Oman, on Mar. 7 and Mar. 8.

A total of 152 Singaporeans and their dependents arrived safely on Mar. 7 night at Changi Airport Terminal 3, and also carried citizens from Malaysia and South Korea on the remaining available seats, according to MFA.

167 Singaporeans and their dependents were on the second flight.

In a joint statement released on Mar. 9, the ministries said there is an urgent need of repatriation from Singaporeans in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia given the lack of feasible commercial options.

Singaporeans who have registered their interest for assisted departure from Saudi Arabia were contacted by MFA with further details on the flight.

Top image via Zaqy Mohamad/Facebook