Five passengers of a Sri Lankan Airlines flight were “detained” by Singapore police for questioning before it took off on Thursday (April 14), according to the airline.
But flight UL 309 had to turn back as the police wanted to question another three passengers, said its statement which was posted on its website. The plane was told to return to the airport soon after take-off for “security reasons”, it said.
Upon returning, the Singapore Police Force’s airport division requested that all luggage on board the Colombo-bound flight be screened once again and also interviewed a few passengers, said the airline.
The police eventually asked for three passengers on board the flight to be offloaded for further questioning. This was in addition to five other passengers who had been “detained for interrogation” before the flight’s departure, said its statement.
“Upon its return to Singapore, the airport division of the Singapore Police Force requested that all check-in luggage was screened once more and also interviewed a few passengers. Accordingly, all baggage was offloaded and sent for security screening. Further, the Airport Police requested SriLankan Airlines to offload 3 additional passengers for further questioning. This was in addition to 5 passengers who were initially detained for interrogation before the flight departed,” said the statement.
In order to avoid further delays, SriLankan Airlines decided to offload the family members of two of the passengers who were taken away for questioning. It provided accommodation for these passengers, who later flew to Colombo on another flight on April 15.
The airline said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has yet to disclose the reasons that led to the recall of flight UL 309. It added that it was in the process of asking for a “comprehensive report”.
“Ideally all necessary inspections should be completed by airport authorities prior to releasing an aircraft for departure,” it said, adding that the airline considers the safety and security of customers its foremost priority, and “under no circumstances will this be compromised”.
Flight UL 309 reached Colombo at 12.40am on April 15, after a three-hour delay.
chenj@sph.com.sg
