By Lee Kyung-min
Singapore Airlines took improper initial moves in response to a recent in-flight assault by a drunken Singapore man against a Korean passenger and a flight attendant, industry officials said Thursday.
The incident, which could have become a serious safety threat to other passengers, drew a negligent reaction from the airline, they said.
On July 23, on a flight bound for Incheon from San Francisco in the U.S., a drunken Singapore assailant, 20, stood up in the middle of the flight and slapped a flight attendant in the face, according to multiple sources.
He then barged into the flight galley and grabbed a fork and a bottle of champagne and poured it on the passenger in front of him, a Korean woman identified only as Kim.
He allegedly threatened her and kicked her several times, including in the stomach.
When the plane arrived at Incheon International Airport, the carrier initially called Incheon International Airport Police (IIAP) saying the incident was the act of a mentally disturbed man, but failed to request an investigation.
An official at a local carrier said that such a response was the equivalent of negligence.
“Our company would have called police and asked them to investigate the matter and make the assailant face due punishment,” he said, declining to be named.
Under the law, those who commit an act of violence that disturbs flight safety or who interfere with the official duties of flight attendants can be jailed for up to 10 years.
In February, a district court sentenced a man in his 50s, surnamed Sohn, to a year in prison, suspended for three years, for pushing a flight attendant and hitting her in the face. Sohn, who was sleeping on the floor, assaulted the attendant for trying to wake him.
With this latest case being regarded as much more serious than one involving Sohn, criticism of Singapore Airlines is growing.
Asked why it failed to have the man dealt with at the beginning of the incident, the carrier refused to give a detailed answer.
”The incident was handled according to our safety and security protocols,” it said. “The unruly passenger was swiftly restrained to prevent further inconvenience to other passengers.”
The carrier refused to say more, citing the sensitivity of the matter.
“We are unable to provide further details as this matter is under investigation,” it said.
IIAP briefly questioned the attacker, who flew back to Singapore on July 25.
IIAP said it did not detain him because his behavior was not regarded as serious enough to justify an arrest warrant.
Police referred the case to the prosecution.