Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 Faces Repeated Departure Failures in Turkey, Highlighting Long-Haul Travel Disruptions Between Istanbul and Singapore

Published on December 17, 2025

International air travel between Turkey and Singapore was significantly disrupted when a Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 operating a long-haul service from Istanbul Airport to Singapore Changi Airport failed to depart on three separate occasions. The incident, which unfolded over nearly three days, placed hundreds of travellers in an extended state of uncertainty while underscoring the complexity of maintaining global aviation operations far from an airline’s primary hubs. The affected service, Singapore Airlines flight SQ391, was repeatedly delayed due to a technical fault involving the aircraft’s flaps, a critical component linked directly to takeoff safety. Although the airline maintained that all actions were guided by strict safety priorities, passengers reported challenges related to communication, on-ground coordination, and daily expenses during the prolonged wait. As the journey was eventually completed under a revised flight number, the episode drew attention within the global travel and tourism sector to the logistical realities of overseas maintenance, spare part availability, and passenger care during irregular operations. The situation also offered insight into how even premium long-haul carriers can face operational strain when unforeseen technical issues arise at international stations far from home bases.

Extended Grounding at Istanbul Airport in Turkey

The disruption began when Singapore Airlines flight SQ391 was scheduled to depart Istanbul Airport at 1.15 pm on December 12, 2025, for its long-haul journey to Singapore. Shortly after pushback, the Airbus A350-900 taxied toward the runway, where a technical issue was identified by the operating crew. The aircraft was returned to the bay after a problem was detected with the flaps, an essential flight control system.

All 229 passengers were kept on board for close to four hours while engineers assessed the situation. During this period, food and beverages were distributed, and passengers were asked to remain seated in anticipation of a potential quick resolution. The decision reflected standard airline practice when a minor repair is expected, though the situation evolved differently once it became clear that a required spare part was not available at the airport.

Rolling Delays and Overnight Uncertainty

As the unavailability of the necessary component became apparent, the delay extended into a rolling series of schedule changes. Passengers were eventually asked to disembark and retrieve their checked baggage, marking a shift from a short technical pause to a prolonged operational disruption.

Accommodation arrangements were provided, with two hotel options made available. Meal vouchers were also issued, although some travellers later indicated that these did not fully cover additional costs such as medication or extra meals during the extended stay in Istanbul, Turkey. The prolonged nature of the delay placed additional strain on travellers who were navigating an unfamiliar city while waiting for updates on their onward journey to Singapore.

Communication Challenges Reported by Travellers

Concerns were raised by passengers regarding the flow and clarity of information during the delay. It was reported that updates were inconsistent and that no visible Singapore Airlines representative appeared to be coordinating communication on the ground at key moments. As a result, several travellers relied on a European tour guide for updates rather than airline staff.

From the airline’s perspective, it was stated that regular updates were issued, hotels were arranged, meal vouchers were distributed, and assistance was provided to passengers requiring rebooking for onward connections. However, the differing perceptions between passengers and the airline highlighted the importance of visible, proactive communication during extended delays, particularly in major international transit points.

Final Departure After Nearly 38 Hours

By the afternoon of December 13, the planned departure time was repeatedly adjusted, first to 7 pm, then to midnight, and later to 3 am on December 14. The aircraft ultimately departed Istanbul Airport at the final revised time, operating under the renumbered flight SQ9391.

The journey concluded with an arrival in Singapore at 7.14 pm on December 14. The nearly 38-hour disruption underscored how a single technical issue, combined with overseas maintenance limitations, can cascade into significant delays for long-haul international travel.

Safety and Engineering Considerations

From an operational standpoint, issues involving aircraft flaps are treated with maximum caution, as they directly affect takeoff performance and flight safety. Additional engineering time and technical support were required before the Airbus A350-900 could be cleared for departure. Such delays are often unavoidable when specific parts or expertise must be sourced from outside locations.

The incident highlighted the dependence of global airline networks on efficient logistics, particularly at overseas stations where spare parts inventories may be limited. Even for well-established carriers, these constraints can lead to prolonged groundings despite extensive planning.

Similar Disruption on United States Route

A comparable situation was later observed on a Singapore Airlines ultra-long-haul service between the United States and Singapore. Passengers traveling on flight SQ21 from Newark Liberty International Airport to Singapore Changi Airport experienced nearly two days of disruption.

The service was initially affected by severe winter weather in the United States, which led to a temporary runway closure for de-icing at Newark. The weather event resulted in nearly 500 delays and more than 200 cancellations across the airport, compounding the operational challenges.

Technical and Ground System Complications in Newark

Following the weather-related delay, the flight was renumbered as SQ9021 and rescheduled for departure on December 15. However, a second attempt was halted after a baggage system fault at the airport and a nose wheel issue on the Airbus A350-900 were identified during final checks.

Further inspections revealed that a specific spare part was required, necessitating additional technical support. The already delayed journey was postponed once more, extending the disruption for 151 affected passengers traveling between the United States and Singapore.

Passenger Care and Logistical Challenges

During the Newark disruption, hotel accommodation and meal vouchers were provided, and passengers were asked to disembark the aircraft. Some travellers reported logistical difficulties, including delayed room availability and transportation issues when buses experienced breakdowns en route to hotels.

In a later phase of the delay, two damaged tyres were discovered, with only one replacement available locally. A second tyre had to be transported from John F Kennedy International Airport, further extending the timeline. Passengers reportedly spent several hours on board before being asked to disembark again.

Broader Implications for Travel and Tourism

These incidents involving Singapore Airlines illustrated how interconnected global aviation operations are with local infrastructure, weather, and maintenance capabilities. For the travel and tourism industry, such disruptions reinforce the importance of contingency planning, transparent communication, and robust passenger support systems, especially on long-haul international routes linking regions such as Turkey, Singapore, and the United States.

While safety remained the guiding principle throughout both events, the experiences highlighted the challenges faced by travellers when delays extend across multiple days. The episodes served as a reminder that even highly regarded international carriers must navigate complex operational realities in an increasingly interconnected global travel environment.