Singapore jets scrambled to intercept small plane

Simgapore (ANTARA News) - Singapore closed its commercial airspace for
almost an hour on Tuesday as fighter jets scrambled to intercept a
small plane headed towards the city-state without permission, the Civil
Aviation Authority said on Wednesday.

The Defence Ministry said two Republic of Singapore Air Force planes
took off around 6:45 p.m. local time (1045 GMT) to intercept a
single-engine turboprop Cessna 208 and escort it to land at the Changi
Airport.

Police have started an investigation, local media reported.

The closure of commercial airspace for about 50 minutes affected 23
aircraft, disrupting flights in and out of Changi Airport, a Civil
Aviation Authority spokeswoman told Reuters.

She said 16 incoming flights and six departing aircraft were delayed
for between 15 and 40 minutes each. Another inbound aircraft was
diverted to Senai Airport in neighbouring Malaysia, she said. (*) END

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