More than 50 flights disrupted as Changi Airport tower evacuated
SINGAPORE — More than 50 flights at Changi Airport were disrupted on early Thursday morning (23 January), as personnel at its control tower were evacuated after the fire alarm went off.
According to a post put up by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on its Facebook page, the flight operations at the airport were disrupted at about 12.10am, and were restored at 1.40am.
During this period, 50 departure flights were delayed by 30 minutes or more, while nine arriving flights were diverted. According to The Straits Times, some flights were diverted to Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam, while others landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
CAAS added that in the interim period, air traffic control services were provided from back-up positions.
“The Tower had to be evacuated as the fire suppression system was activated,” it said in its Facebook post. “There was no fire. Investigations into the cause of the activation are on-going.”
Some of the passengers affected by the disruptions took to Twitter to voice their frustrations at their flight delays.
Anyone know what’s going on at @ChangiAirport ? Been sitting on the tarmac on @SingaporeAir flight 225 for 2 hours..
— Tommy Nilsen (@TommyNilsen) January 22, 2020
@ChangiAirport hello, why have departures stopped for the last hour? Our flight crew can’t get information, which is very strange.
— Cat Grant (@kittyonwheels) January 22, 2020
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