Passenger caught smoking on SIA flight to Shanghai taken away by authorities

A passenger who was caught smoking on board a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight from Singapore to Shanghai has been taken away by local authorities for questioning after the plane landed on Friday (Aug 21). 

Responding to queries from AsiaOne, a spokesperson for SIA said the airline is aware of the incident, involving a customer who smoked in a lavatory on board flight SQ836 on Friday. 

"Smoking, including vaping and the use of e-cigarettes, is strictly prohibited on all SIA and Scoot flights," said the spokesperson. 

"Customers who are caught smoking or vaping on board will be banned from travelling on Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights."

Footage of the incident shared on social media shows a flight attendant seemingly speaking to a passenger seated on the plane.

A fellow passenger said they were shocked to learn that someone had actually smoked on board the plane.

"Just before landing at Shanghai Pudong airport, a flight attendant suddenly went to the passenger diagonally in front of me and asked them to hand over their cigarettes for safekeeping," said the witness. 

They added that the crew immediately contacted airport authorities after the plane landed. 

An announcement was also made informing passengers to remain seated while authorities boarded the aircraft, at which point the witness realised something was not right.

"When I got off the plane, I saw the cigarette butts wrapped in a napkin as evidence, and they wouldn't let the passenger leave. That's when I realised that someone had actually smoked on a plane," they said.

@asiaone The man was seen led away by local police after landing. #sgnews #Singapore #China ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

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