SINGAPORE- A Singapore Airlines (SQ) flight from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Singapore was delayed by over six hours after a pilot became ill.
Flight SQ899, operating by an Airbus A350, returned to the gate after beginning taxi procedures when one of the pilots experienced a medical issue.
Photo: AirbusSingapore Airlines Pilot Fall Sick
Singapore Airlines made the decision to seek immediate medical assistance for the crew member, requiring all passengers to disembark with their luggage. The carrier provided meal vouchers and refreshments to affected travelers during the extended wait at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
The incident occurred on March 29, 2025, when flight SQ899 was preparing for its scheduled 9:05 am local time departure from Hong Kong. As the aircraft began moving from its parking position toward the runway, one of the pilots suddenly became unwell, necessitating an immediate return to the terminal.
The medical situation required removing the affected pilot from duty, leaving Singapore Airlines to arrange for a replacement crew member. This process contributed significantly to the extended delay, with the flight eventually departing around 3:40 pm – more than six hours behind schedule.
According to Singapore Airlines’ official statement, the airline prioritized the health and safety of the crew members, emphasizing that “the safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority.” The A350 aircraft finally landed at Changi Airport (SIN) at 7:36 pm local time.
Photo: AirbusPassenger Experience
The sudden return to the gate and subsequent delay created significant frustration among passengers. A post shared on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu documented the confusion, with travelers reporting limited information about when they could expect to continue their journey.
All passengers were required to completely deplane with their belongings, adding to the inconvenience. While Singapore Airlines provided meal vouchers and refreshments during the wait, some travelers expressed dissatisfaction with the communication regarding the evolving situation.
The airline issued an apology to affected customers but maintained that the decision was necessary given the circumstances.
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Photo: Clément AlloingSimilar Incidents
An easyJet (U2) flight from Hurghada (HRG), Egypt to Manchester (MAN) executed an emergency landing in Athens (ATH) after one of its pilots experienced a medical emergency mid-flight in February 2025.
The incident occurred approximately two hours into the journey, creating intense moments for passengers and crew alike.
A similar situation affected a Lufthansa (LH) Boeing 747-8 operating flight LH-463 from Miami (MIA) to Frankfurt (FRA) in January 2025, when the captain became incapacitated in the crew rest area.
The senior first officer immediately took command, implementing emergency protocols and calling the second first officer to the cockpit for additional support. Two flight attendants administered first aid to the captain while the crew assessed weather conditions and determined Montreal as the optimal diversion airport.
Additionally, in December 2024, a United Airlines (UA) flight from Zurich to Chicago diverted to Halifax (YHZ) when a pilot fell ill after approximately seven hours airborne.
According to aviation analyst JonNYC, the flight remained airborne for approximately seven hours before the crew reported the medical emergency. A Boeing 767-300ER (registration N665UA), aged 26.5 years, operated the flight and landed safely in Halifax at 8:51 PM UTC.
Featured Image by Clément Alloing | Flickr
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The post Singapore Airlines A350 Pilot Fall Sick, Flight Delayed by 6 Hours appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
