A Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight en route from Changi Airport to Manchester, UK, faced significant disruptions due to adverse weather conditions, resulting in two diversions to London. The flight, designated SQ52, took off at 2:13 AM local time on January 5, 2025, and was initially scheduled to arrive in Manchester at 9:25 AM (UK time). However, the aircraft was diverted to Gatwick Airport in London after encountering snow-covered runways in Manchester.
Upon landing at Gatwick at 9:48 AM, the flight was cleared to continue its journey to Manchester. Unfortunately, after taking off again, the aircraft had to circle over the Peak District, a national park in central-northern England, for approximately 45 minutes before returning to London due to ongoing weather issues.
Despite these setbacks, the flight finally managed to reach Manchester, landing at 7:11 PM (UK time), which was nearly ten hours later than its original arrival time. The flight was also scheduled to continue to Houston, Texas, after a brief layover in Manchester, but this connection has also been delayed. The new departure time for the Houston leg is now set for 4 PM (UK time) on January 6.
In a statement to Mothership, an SIA spokesperson confirmed that the diversions were necessary due to the severe weather conditions affecting Manchester Airport, which had closed its runways for approximately 3.5 hours. The spokesperson emphasized that the airline is committed to providing support to affected passengers, including hotel accommodations and rebooking of connecting flights. “SIA sincerely apologizes to all affected passengers for the inconvenience caused. The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority,” the spokesperson added.
The snowy weather not only impacted SIA flight SQ52 but also caused widespread disruptions at Manchester Airport, leading to numerous flights being diverted or delayed. Although the runways reopened later on January 5, the airport experienced another temporary closure on January 6 between 6:30 AM and 7:15 AM due to continued snow and ice conditions.
As travelers navigate these challenging weather-related disruptions, SIA and other airlines are working diligently to manage the situation and ensure passenger safety. For ongoing updates, passengers are encouraged to check with their airlines directly.