A SINGAPORE AIRLINES (SIA) aircraft that was on its way to Istanbul, Turkey rerouted back to Singapore after news broke of an attack at Turkey’s Ataturk International Airport Tuesday night.
Flight SQ392, which departed from Changi Airport Terminal 3 at 1.35am local time on Wednesday, was scheduled to arrive at Istanbul at 7.45am, Istanbul time, reported the Straits Times.
However, the flight was forced to turn back, as the airport was closed following the bombings, said an SIA spokesperson.
The flight, carrying 201 passengers and 14 crew members on board, was expected to arrive in Singapore at around 10.50am Wednesday.
The spokesperson added that as Ataturk airport has resumed operations, the flight to Istanbul will be rescheduled for departure at 12.30pm Wednesday, and should arrive at 6pm, Istanbul time.
“Singapore Airlines is saddened by the explosions at the Istanbul airport earlier this morning,” said SIA in a media statement.
At least 36 people were killed and nearly 150 others injured in the closing weeks of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan after three suicide bombers opened fire on airport security, then blew themselves up at Ataturk, Istanbul’s main international airport, said Turkish officials.
The bombs were set off at around 10pm, Istanbul time, with two suicide vests detonated at the international terminal, and the third in a nearby parking lot, an official told CNN.
Though no one has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said signs pointed to it being perpetrated by the Islamic State.
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