SIA flight bound for Istanbul turns back to Singapore

A Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight bound for Istanbul, Turkey, has headed back to Changi Airport after suicide bomb attacks killed at least 36 people and injured many at Ataturk international airport.

SQ392, which departed from Changi Airport Terminal 3 at 1.35am this morning (June 29), was expected to arrive at Istanbul at around noon (Singapore time)

It is now expected back at Changi at about 11am, reported The Straits Times.

Media reports said air traffic will resume at Ataturk airport from 3am local time (8am Singapore time).

Related: Suicide bombers open fire and then blow themselves up

This is the second time within three days that a Singapore Airlines plane was forced to return to Changi airport.

Boeing 777-300ER en route for Milan turned back about two hours into the flight from Changi Airport on Monday following an engine oil warning message.

Flames engulfed the wing of the plane after it made an emergency landing at the airport. The fire was put out within minutes. None of the passengers were hurt.

chenj@sph.com.sg