SQ494/495: Diversion to and from DXB?

[SQfanatic]

As probably a number of you know, there has been a good number of 77WN adhoc substitutions, that has affected only SQ227/228, especially also because of SWH that encountered a technical problem and caused a 24 hour delay. As a result of the ad-hoc 77WN to many different routes, it seems that there have been delays:

Example: SQ910/917 got SWU and turned back as SQ2 which was delayed for almost an hour, SQ836/825 got SWZ, off SQ319, which was also delayed. SQ494 got a 77WN (SWY) instead of the regular 77WR off SQ631 (More typically than not, it's usually got a 77WN off SQ1, but SQ318 got the frame off SQ1 (SWV)), which also caused a 1.5 hour delay.

As far as DXB goes, it made a diversion in DWC before proceeding to DXB, and while coming back, it made a diversion in KUL and is scheduled to return to SIN to perform SQ2. This is not the first time SQ494 has encountered a diversion, but it is quite strange this had happened especially on the return. Flight arrival delayed by 9 hours. Anyone know the cause?

[FN-GM]

I believe it diverted to DWC due to long hold times at DXB. A large number of EK flights had to divert.

[SQ228]

As probably a number of you know, there has been a good number of 77WN adhoc substitutions, that has affected only SQ227/228, especially also because of SWH that encountered a technical problem and caused a 24 hour delay. As a result of the ad-hoc 77WN to many different routes, it seems that there have been delays:

Example: SQ910/917 got SWU and turned back as SQ2 which was delayed for almost an hour, SQ836/825 got SWZ, off SQ319, which was also delayed. SQ494 got a 77WN (SWY) instead of the regular 77WR off SQ631 (More typically than not, it's usually got a 77WN off SQ1, but SQ318 got the frame off SQ1 (SWV)), which also caused a 1.5 hour delay.

As far as DXB goes, it made a diversion in DWC before proceeding to DXB, and while coming back, it made a diversion in KUL and is scheduled to return to SIN to perform SQ2. This is not the first time SQ494 has encountered a diversion, but it is quite strange this had happened especially on the return. Flight arrival delayed by 9 hours. Anyone know the cause?

I doubt any delays would be due to waiting for a 77WN to be available. Substitutions at the end of October are also very normal as there are major changes going on in the overall schedule. The 77W has the same seating arrangements as a 77W, so there would have been overall delays due to tight rostering with all the changes and technical incidents.

The delays into DXB would be for the reason the previous poster suggested. The reason for diverting to KUL on return is most likely for a crew change as by then they would have exceeded their hours and KUL is slightly closer. We'd need to know exactly what went on at DXB to make an informed judgment.

[Bloodwings]

Just got off SQ495. Inbound SQ494 left Singapore almost 2 hours later than scheduled. Our departure was retimed to 2110 from 2000 hours. Tracked SQ494 on its approach at close to 2000 hours but soon realised it was put on a holding pattern, before finally landing in DWC. Turns out that Dubai airspace was closed for about an hour from 8-9 pm because of unauthorised drone activity. SQ494 was then stuck at DWC for the next 5 hours. It finally made the 40km odd distance and landed in DXB at 0145hours. By then SQ495's departure had been retimed multiple times with the final being 0330hours. We left more than 7 hours later than scheduled. Wasn't the end. I woke up to find that we were landing in KUL as the pilots were close to exceeding their maximal flight hours. It's been a long day considering we finally made it back at 1630hours instead of 0730 hours.

[SQ228]

Just got off SQ495. Inbound SQ494 left Singapore almost 2 hours later than scheduled. Our departure was retimed to 2110 from 2000 hours. Tracked SQ494 on its approach at close to 2000 hours but soon realised it was put on a holding pattern, before finally landing in DWC. Turns out that Dubai airspace was closed for about an hour from 8-9 pm because of unauthorised drone activity. SQ494 was then stuck at DWC for the next 5 hours. It finally made the 40km odd distance and landed in DXB at 0145hours. By then SQ495's departure had been retimed multiple times with the final being 0330hours. We left more than 7 hours later than scheduled. Wasn't the end. I woke up to find that we were landing in KUL as the pilots were close to exceeding their maximal flight hours. It's been a long day considering we finally made it back at 1630hours instead of 0730 hours.

Thanks for the eyewitness account and welcome to SQTalk!