Scoot pilot delays landing in Changi after passengers refuse to fasten seatbelts

A pilot for low-cost carrier Scoot was forced to delay landing in Singapore after some passengers refused to fasten their seatbelts during the flight’s descent.

Flight TR285 from Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) was approaching Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) on November 14, 2022 when the pilot decided to discontinue the landing after he was told that some passengers had not fastened their seatbelts.

In a video posted on TikTok, the pilot can be heard announcing his decision to delay the flight’s landing.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have decided to discontinue the approach into Singapore Changi Airport and this was because I was informed that we still have passengers who are not seated with the seatbelts securely fastened,” the unnamed pilot can be heard saying over the PA system.

“We are legally not able to land an aircraft if the cabin isn’t secured. We are now turning around again for another approach, and if we have to do another missed approach for the same reason, the airport police will be involved,” the pilot added.

The aircraft went for a second approach after the pilot explained that the airport police will be involved if the plane is forced to delay again for the same reason.

The TikTok video also included a clip of airport auxiliary police entering the plane after it lands, and then escorting some passengers out of the aircraft.

“For the safety of passengers during flight, all passengers are required to be seated and to have their seatbelts securely fastened for take-off and landing, or until the seatbelt sign has been turned off,” a Scoot spokesperson told The Straits Times.

“The well-being of our customers and staff is our priority, and we do not condone behavior that compromises flight safety. Scoot will take appropriate actions against any passenger who may risk the safety of our customers and staff,” the spokesperson added.