STATEMENT BY DR CHEONG CHOONG KONG DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SINGAPORE AIRLINES

This evening, we have heard the preliminary findings of Taiwan’s Aviation Safety Council. Evidence has been presented by the investigation team which included experts from Singapore. As unlikely as it seemed at first, the plane was on the wrong runway. We accept this finding.

We are deeply distressed and very concerned.

It is critical that we understand exactly what happened and precisely what made the cockpit crew believe that they were on the correct runway. We are co-operating fully with the investigators so that we can understand what went wrong. A team of our own technical experts is in Taipei for this purpose.

We need to understand what the contributing factors were. Apart from working with the investigators and the airport authorities, we will be examining all possibilities ourselves, to discover what could have led to this fatal error.

We will be looking at human factors, and also what could be done to make airports safer.

Once the answers are established, we will take whatever action is necessary to ensure this tragic accident doesn’t happen again.

There are lessons to be learned - we need to understand what they are. We fully accept our responsibility to our passengers, our crew and their families.

This is a terrible tragedy, and we are deeply sorry.

Our priority remains to do whatever is necessary to help everyone affected, and to meet their immediate needs. We are providing every form of assistance and care they require. Our thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones, and I hope and pray for the quick recovery of those who were injured.