Measures to Safeguard Safety and Security of Cabin Crew and Passengers on Board Airborne Aircraft

Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the recent incidents of non-compliance of safety instructions on board an aircraft flying inbound into Singapore (a) what are the measures taken to safeguard the safety and security of the cabin crew and passengers; and (b) what enforcement actions are available to the cabin crew whilst the aircraft is still airborne.

Mr S Iswaran: This reply also addresses a similar question filed by Ms Hany Soh 1 for a subsequent Sitting.

Singapore has laws to ensure the safety of passengers, including requiring passengers to be seated with their seatbelts fastened at take-off and landing, and prohibiting individuals from boarding an aircraft when intoxicated and from becoming intoxicated in-flight, where they could jeopardise the safety and order of the aircraft. The pilot-in-command and air crew members authorised by the pilot-in-command are empowered by law to take any reasonable measures, including physical restraint, to secure the safety of the aircraft in flight as well as the safety and well-being of all passengers and crew on board.

We are also committed to the safety and well-being of aviation workers. In-flight, it is an offence to behave in a threatening, offensive, insulting or disorderly manner towards a crew member, and offenders who are convicted could be fined up to $100,000, or imprisoned for up to five years, or both. Airlines also train their frontline staff and crew to protect themselves while managing unruly or disruptive passengers.

There has not been any significant increase in the rate of unruly behaviour on board Singapore carriers, at around 1.4 incidents per 1,000 flights over the past five years. The authorities have investigated the individuals responsible and taken appropriate action, including legal action, depending on the facts of the case.

Note(s) to Question No(s) 21:

1 To ask the Minister for Transport (a) in the past one year, what is the number of incidents where airport ground staff or cabin crew members are abused by unruly passengers at Changi Airport terminals or on board flights arriving at or departing from Singapore; and (b) what are the measures in place at Changi Airport and on board planes to ensure the safety of passengers and to prevent cabin crew members from being subjected to such abuse.