SAPPORO— Hundreds of passengers travelling on Singapore Airlines (SQ) were left confined inside an aircraft for more than seven hours after their flight from New Chitose Airport (CTS), Hokkaido, to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) was forced to turn back shortly after departure on January 10, 2026.

The affected service, flight SQ661, was scheduled to depart CTS at 9:30 am local time and arrive in Singapore at 5:05 pm. The aircraft eventually departed more than an hour late and returned to the airport roughly 50 minutes after takeoff due to what the airline later described as a technical issue, triggering a prolonged onboard delay.

Singapore Airlines Passengers Stranded at Chitose

Flight SQ661 departed CTS at approximately 10:33 am after an initial delay. About 55 minutes into the flight, passengers were informed that the aircraft would return to Sapporo due to a technical concern, according to multiple passenger accounts.

Cabin crew reportedly advised travellers that the issue might be resolved by early afternoon, raising expectations of a same-day departure.

However, those expectations faded when passengers were informed around 2:15 pm that the aircraft would no longer operate that day, reported AsiaOne.

Despite the cancellation decision, passengers remained onboard for several more hours as the airline coordinated ground logistics. Some travellers only disembarked after 5 pm due to limited bus availability to transfer passengers from the aircraft to the terminal building.

Passengers Experience

Several passengers described the onboard wait as distressing, citing unclear announcements and long periods without meaningful updates. One passenger said her family had boarded the aircraft around 9 am and only exited the cabin at 5:36 pm, amounting to more than eight hours inside the aircraft.

Travellers also reported discomfort during the delay, with at least one tour group stating that cabin air-conditioning was temporarily unavailable. While flight attendants distributed meals, snacks, and drinks, passengers said the lack of clear information added to their frustration.

Upon reaching the terminal, passengers encountered further delays. Many spent more than three hours waiting to arrange accommodation and onward travel, with queues forming separately for hotel assignments and rebooked flights. Some passengers said they relied on information shared among fellow travellers rather than clear directions from ground staff.

Compensation and Recovery

Singapore Airlines arranged hotel accommodation for affected passengers and provided taxi vouchers worth approximately 20,000 yen for round-trip transport between hotels and the airport.

Passengers also received souvenir boxes and S$100 KrisFlyer gift certificates as a goodwill gesture.

The airline scheduled a replacement service, flight SQ9661, for the following day. The aircraft departed CTS at 11:13 am on January 11 and arrived in Singapore at 6:20 pm, completing the delayed journey.

Singapore Airlines issued a delay notice apologising for the disruption and confirmed that passengers could claim reimbursement for meals and accommodation expenses within specified limits upon presenting receipts. The airline cited technical reasons for the turnaround and cancellation.

Bottom Line

The prolonged cabin confinement following the turnaround of flight SQ661 highlights the operational challenges airlines face during technical disruptions, particularly when ground handling resources are limited.

While Singapore Airlines provided compensation and recovery measures, passenger accounts suggest that clearer communication and faster disembarkation procedures remain critical areas for improvement during irregular operations.

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