SINGAPORE — A Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight bound for Manchester, UK, was diverted to nearby East Midlands Airport after landing twice due to strong winds. The aircraft, carrying 201 passengers and 17 crew members, then landed safely in Manchester.
In response to Today’s Questions, SIA announced that on Wednesday (24 January) Airbus A350-900 flight SQ52 from Singapore to Manchester departed from East Midlands Airport at 10:14am local time (6:14pm Singapore time). It was announced that the plane had landed “safely”.
“SQ52 then departed East Midlands Airport 11:44am (local time) after Refueling and subsequent conditions around Manchester Airport improved.landed safely in Manchester 12:24pm (local time),” he added.
I understand it today Before Media reports that an in-flight emergency was declared on SQ52 are incorrect.
British newspaper Mirror reported that passengers on the plane were thrown around “like a roller coaster” and one woman vomited.
The flight reported twice having to abort landings at Manchester Airport due to strong winds associated with a major storm known as Storm Jocelyn.
One passenger, Stuart Wilde, 64, said:
“When we took off from Singapore, we had to descend from 35,000 feet to 25,000 feet due to turbulence. When we arrived in Manchester, it was a bumpy landing.
“We tried to land, took off again, made a wide turn and tried again, but had to take off. Next thing I knew, we had to go to East Midlands Airport. That’s what I was told.”
SIA said: “The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to affected customers.”
TODAY reports that passengers were provided with meal vouchers.
Storm Jocelyn is the 10th named storm to hit the UK since late September.
Ireland’s National Weather Service, Met Éireann, which named the storm Jocelyn, issued a weather warning for very strong winds with “severe and harmful gusts”.
Storm Jocelyn is expected to be less extreme than some of its predecessors, but it comes as the UK is still grappling with the massive damage caused by Storm Isha, which hit over the weekend and into Monday.