Amid conflict breaking out in the Middle East and many flights being cancelled, the first flight from Abu Dhabi, UAE, to Singapore arrived at Changi Airport on the night of the 5th.
This flight was Etihad Airways flight EY498, which departed from Abu Dhabi at 10:07am local time on Thursday and landed at Changi Airport Terminal 2 at 9:52pm.
When Lianhe Zaobao reporters arrived at the airport at around 8pm, people were already waiting for their loved ones to return from a dangerous place.
Chen Yingling (50, logistics industry) said in an interview that her boyfriend flew from Germany to Singapore last Friday (February 26), transiting in Abu Dhabi, but the connecting flight scheduled for Sunday was cancelled.
She said that over the past week, her boyfriend checked in with her via Microsoft Teams video call, but she still felt restless and worried.
Although the experience left them shaken, they are grateful to the UAE government for providing the necessary support for her boyfriend, including free accommodation and meals.
Singaporean Living in Abu Dhabi Returns in Haste
Abdu (30), a Singaporean living in Abu Dhabi for work, booked a ticket to return to Singapore as soon as the conflict broke out.
He described the situation locally, saying that at first he could hear a few explosions in the distance, which made him very scared. Fortunately, things became relatively calmer in the following days.
“Although the local government still advises people to stay indoors as much as possible, at least the shops are still open. As my daily necessities were running low, I had to go out and buy more.”
He said he was relieved to have returned safely to Singapore and most looks forward to getting a good rest at home.
When Lianhe Zaobao reporters arrived at the airport at around 8pm, people were already waiting for their loved ones to return from a dangerous place.
Chen Yingling (50, logistics industry) said in an interview that her boyfriend flew from Germany to Singapore last Friday (February 26), transiting in Abu Dhabi, but the connecting flight scheduled for Sunday was cancelled.
She said that over the past week, her boyfriend checked in with her via Microsoft Teams video call, but she still felt restless and worried.
Although the experience left them shaken, they are grateful to the UAE government for providing the necessary support for her boyfriend, including free accommodation and meals.
Singaporean Living in Abu Dhabi Returns in Haste
Abdu (30), a Singaporean living in Abu Dhabi for work, booked a ticket to return to Singapore as soon as the conflict broke out.
He described the situation locally, saying that at first he could hear a few explosions in the distance, which made him very scared. Fortunately, things became relatively calmer in the following days.
“Although the local government still advises people to stay indoors as much as possible, at least the shops are still open. As my daily necessities were running low, I had to go out and buy more.”
He said he was relieved to have returned safely to Singapore and most looks forward to getting a good rest at home.