Singapore Airlines and Scoot Extend Flight Cancellations in Middle East Amid Escalating Tensions

Singapore Airlines and its budget subsidiary, Scoot, have announced further cancellations of various Middle East flights due to the ongoing tensions associated with the Iran conflict. These service suspensions are expected to last until March 15.

Singapore Airlines Flight Cancellations

Singapore Airlines stated on Thursday that Flights SQ494 (Singapore–Dubai) and SQ495 (Dubai–Singapore) will remain suspended until March 15 due to the volatile geopolitical situation in the Middle East. The airline further cautioned that additional flights could also be affected as the situation remains uncertain.

Scoot Flight Cancellations

Scoot also revealed that flights TR596 (Singapore–Jeddah) and TR597 (Jeddah–Singapore), which were scheduled for March 9 and March 10, will also be cancelled. These flights to Jeddah, which Scoot operates four times a week, have been suspended since February 28.

Passengers Impacted by Flight Cancellations

Passengers who have been affected by the cancellations will be accommodated on alternative flights or if they choose, they can receive a full refund for the unused portion of their tickets. The airlines also encourage their customers to keep their contact details updated via the manage booking function on their website or to subscribe to a mobile notification service to receive updates about their flight status.

Resumption of Outbound Flights and Repatriation Efforts

This week saw the resumption of a limited number of outbound flights from the United Arab Emirates, which were operated by long-haul carriers Etihad Airways and Emirates, based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, respectively.

Notably, the first plane carrying Singapore residents who were stranded in the Middle East arrived on Thursday morning.

Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Gan Siow Huang, announced that Singapore will conduct repatriation flights from Muscat, Oman on the upcoming weekend. She also noted that approximately one-fourth of Singaporeans who have e-registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have requested assistance to return home since the conflict began.

Faishal Ibrahim, Acting Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, reported that he has reached out to over 40 Singaporean students studying in various countries including Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, to ensure their safety and well-being. According to him, the students are safe and there have been minimal disruptions to their studies.

Questions & Answers

What are the airlines doing for passengers affected by the cancellations?
The airlines are placing the affected passengers on alternative flights. Passengers also have the option to receive a full refund for the unused portion of their tickets.

How are the airlines keeping their customers updated about their flight status?
The airlines are encouraging their customers to update their contact details via the manage booking function on their website or to subscribe to a mobile notification service to receive flight status updates.

What measures are being taken to assist Singapore residents stranded in the Middle East?
The Singapore government is running repatriation flights from Muscat, Oman. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs noted that around one-fourth of Singaporeans who have e-registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have requested assistance to return home.