SINGAPORE - Local budget carrier Scoot's maiden flight was off to a bumpy
start with a delay of almost two hours on Monday night due to a technical
fault.
The Boeing 777-200 jet was originally scheduled for departure at 11.25pm,
eventually took off at about 1.05am, according to reports.
The flight with a full load of about 400 paying passengers, guests and
members of the media left Terminal 2 at Singapore Changi Airport 20 minutes
later then scheduled. However, it turned back on the runway and returned to the
boarding area at 12.20am.
The Straits Times (ST) reported that passengers remained calm and were
served milk and cookies.
"It's their first flight, so I expected some teething problems," said
teacher Gamar Annisa, 25, to ST.
Reporters on-board, aviation enthusiasts and industry members tweeted about
the flight delay on social media site Twitter.
Mr Tony Fernandes, CEO of competitor airline AirAsia, reposted humorous
tweets by others on the event, including a photo of the milk and cookies
offered with a word play on the acronym Scoot - Singapore Carrier Offers Oreo
Treats. However, Mr Fernandes did not personally comment on the issue on
Twitter.
>> Read full story here.
Scoot made its maiden flight to Sydney on June 5.
Stewardesses Rachel Khuan (left) and Eri Todhunter are in good spirits as they
prepare to welcome the first passengers for Scoot's inaugural flight.
Cabin crew checking the plane.
Two cabin crew checking the plane before the inaugural flight.
Passengers lining up at Terminal 2 to board Scoot.
Scoot was off to a bumpy start with a delay of almost two hours on Monday night
due to a technical fault.
The Boeing 777-200 jet was originally scheduled for departure at 11.25pm,
eventually took off at about 1.05am, according to reports.
The flight left the terminal 20 minutes later than scheduled.
After leaving, the flight turned back on the runway and returned to the
boarding area at 12.20am.
