Turkey-S’pore Flight Passenger Infected With Covid-19, Plane Instantly Grounded At Changi Airport

Turkish Airlines Plane Grounded At Changi Airport After Passenger Tests Positive For Covid-19

Strict safety measures at Changi Airport following the Covid-19 outbreak are familiar to many.

But they took centre stage yesterday (4 Mar) when an emergency situation called for immediate action.

A passenger on an inbound Turkish Airlines tested positive for Covid-19, forcing the plane to be grounded before its return trip to Turkey, reported The Straits Times (ST).

Covid-19 case on Turkish Airlines flight to Singapore

Turkish Airlines flight TK54 had arrived in Singapore from Turkey on Tuesday (3 Mar).

As per standard procedure, incoming travellers had to undergo screening at Changi Airport.

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What transpired next was unclear, but Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed late the following night that a passenger tested positive for Covid-19.

The passenger was not 1 of the 2 cases MOH reported on Wednesday (4 Mar), noted ST.

Authorities began contact tracing right away, and held the plane back from its return flight to Turkey.

Return flight on hold for almost 3 hours at Changi Airport

The Turkish Airlines plane, which was due to depart from Changi Airport at 11.35pm yesterday, ended up facing a near 3-hour long delay.

According to ST, 200 passengers couldn’t board the Turkey-bound flight, to avoid risk of exposure to the virus.

Photo for illustration purposes only
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Singapore residents had to return home, while foreigners went to hotels which the authorities had arranged for.

The plane finally took off at 2.10am early the next morning with nobody on board, save for the crew who had been on the initial incoming flight.

They will go into quarantine immediately upon reaching Istanbul.

Government agencies working with Turkish authorities

The current condition of the infected passenger is unknown.

Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), and Changi Airport Group (CAG) are helping the airline and passengers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is also in touch with the Turkish Embassy.

All eyes will probably be on the other passengers aboard TK54, but we hope they’re all well.

We have full trust that the authorities will take necessary actions to safeguard everybody’s well-being.

Featured image adapted from AIN online.