Passenger removed from Singapore Airlines flight for verbally abusing cabin crew

By Hoang Vu September 12, 2024 | 10:08 pm PT

Singapore Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Changi Airport in Singapore, Nov. 16, 2021. Photo by Reuters

A passenger was offloaded from a Singapore Airlines flight and handed over to authorities in Hong Kong after allegedly verbally abusing the cabin crew when his request for alcoholic beverages was denied.

The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday, caused a delay of approximately three hours for the flight from Hong Kong to Singapore, The Straits Times reported.

In a statement, the airline confirmed that the passenger was offloaded to safeguard the well-being of other passengers and the operating crew.

Following his removal from the aircraft, he was handed over to local authorities at Hong Kong International Airport.

The altercation began when the passenger, a 71-year-old Singaporean man, requested alcoholic beverages prior to takeoff, according to Hong Kong news outlet HK01.

His request was denied, leading to the outburst. Local police confirmed that no arrests were made.

The flight departed three hours late at 11:38 p.m. and arrived at Singapore's Changi Airport at 2:48 a.m. on Wednesday, over two hours later than scheduled, according to the Changi Airport website.