In a troubling display of anger at Changi Airport, two men have been charged for separate incidents of abusive and threatening behaviour towards airport staff. With one occurrence linked to threatening conduct in a shuttle bus situation and another involving a British man damaging property, the incidents have raised concerns about passenger conduct.
Incident at Terminal 3
A 57-year-old British man is set to face the court on 17 March 2024 for allegedly using derogatory language against a female airline staff member and damaging a wall at Changi Airport Terminal 3. The incident took place on 8 March 2024 when the man realised he had misplaced his mobile phone after boarding for a flight to London.
- The man left the aircraft to search for his phone at the airport lounge.
- Upon discovering that the phone was not found, he was informed that leaving the gate would lead to him being offloaded from the flight.
- His subsequent outburst resulted in him allegedly kicking a wall panel on the aerobridge.
Charges and Possible Penalties
Following the incident, police indicated that the man would be charged under:
- Section 3(2) of the Protection from Harassment Act 2014 for using abusive words.
- Section 426 of the Penal Code 1871 for mischief causing destruction to property.
Each charge carries significant penalties, including fines and potential jail time. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police M. Malathi, the authorities take such incidents seriously to ensure the safety of airport staff.
Shuttle Bus Showdown at Terminal 1
In a separate incident at Terminal 1, Xu Yixuan, a private hire vehicle driver, faced charges for threatening behaviour towards a shuttle bus driver. This confrontation occurred on 31 January 2024, when Xu allegedly blocked the bus and shouted vulgarities at the driver.
- He was upset over the bus changing lanes and tailgated it with his vehicle.
- Upon exiting his vehicle, he kicked the bus’s door and threw his mobile phone at it.
Legal Consequences for Xu
Charged with causing a public nuisance and using threatening behaviour towards a public service worker, Xu plans to plead guilty when he returns to court on 4 April 2024. If convicted, he could face up to three months in jail for public nuisance, while threatening behaviour could result in up to 12 months in jail.
Final Thoughts
Both incidents highlight the potential for tensions to escalate in busy airport environments, especially when emotions run high. As travel continues to rise, the need for respectful behaviour toward airport employees and fellow travellers remains crucial.