Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong has issued a public apology after a passenger died and dozens more were injured on one of the airline’s flights during severe turbulence.
British grandfather Geoffrey Kitchen, who was travelling to Australia with his wife, died – reportedly from a heart attack – when flight SQ321 was hit by the unexpected turbulence.
In a video message, Goh said the airline is cooperating with investigations into the incident and apologised for the “traumatic experience”.
“We are deeply saddened by this incident. It has resulted in one confirmed fatality, and multiple injuries,” he said.
“On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.
“We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 went through… our deepest apologies to everyone affected by this incident.”
The flight from London, which was bound for Singapore, made an emergency landing in Bangkok, where the local Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital said it had treated 71 passengers.
Goh said 85 people in total – six of them crew members, the remainder of them passengers – were still in the Thai capital, while the other 143 people who had been on the flight had been taken to Singapore this morning.
“Singapore Airlines swiftly dispatched a team to Bangkok last night, and they have been helping our colleagues with the support on the ground,” he said.
