Overview of the Snowstorm's Impact

An unprecedented snowstorm slammed South Korea, leading to significant flight disruptions between Singapore and the region. As of November 27, at least 29 flights experienced extensive delays or cancellations due to the worst November snowfall in over 50 years.

Details on Flight Disruptions

Among the disrupted flights, three were officially canceled. Singapore Airlines reported that its services were severely impacted with delays ranging from one hour to a staggering nine hours. Notably affected flights included SQ601, SQ605, SQ607, and SQ611, which were scheduled to depart from Seoul to Singapore.

Statements from Airlines

In a statement, a Scoot spokesman emphasized that while their flights continued to operate between the two destinations, they were closely monitoring the evolving weather situation. "We may make adjustments to our schedule due to weather considerations in Incheon," he said, highlighting ongoing challenges.

Incheon International Airport's Situation

Incheon International Airport, South Korea's primary airport, bore the brunt of the storm, with average passenger delays extending to two hours. Flight tracking website Flightradar24 noted that, on November 28 alone, 14% of flights were delayed and 15% were canceled.

Passenger Experiences

The snowstorm created a nightmarish scenario for travelers. Willie Foo, a Singaporean passenger, spent nearly six hours stuck on the tarmac of Incheon Airport on November 27. Foo and other passengers were informed of their flight's delay within minutes of boarding. The intended 12:35 PM departure only took off at 5:55 PM. He recounted the agonizing wait, stating, “Staying inside a plane for six hours waiting was unbearable, but the airline staff kept serving us food and drinks. However, the airport management was chaotic.”

Deteriorating Road Conditions

Compounding the travel woes, road conditions deteriorated dramatically with the snowfall. Foo noted he faced a two-hour journey from Suwon to Seoul that typically took 40 minutes. He described the roads as “blanketed with snow,” making navigation treacherous, with visibility of lane markings nearly nonexistent.

Snow Accumulation Data

The Korea Meteorological Administration reported a staggering 16.5 cm of snow had accumulated by 7 AM local time, surpassing the previous record of 12.4 cm set in 1972. By the morning of November 28, more than 40 cm of snow was recorded in certain parts of Seoul, forcing the delay and cancellation of upwards of 200 flights.

Casualties and Government Response

In a tragic turn, at least four fatalities and 11 injuries were reported due to a massive 53-vehicle pile-up in Gangwon province related to the winter weather. South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol urged officials to "minimize potential damage and public inconvenience caused by the snow," as the accumulation was forecast to persist.

Travel Agency Insights

Travel agencies like EU Holidays reported that approximately 33 customers were caught in the storm's mayhem. One group of travelers missed their connecting flight to Jeju Island due to a significant delay of their Asiana Airlines flight.

Resilience Among Travelers

Despite the bait of delays, not all travelers succumbed to despair. Ms. Genevieve Sia, a 22-year-old university student, originally scheduled to leave Singapore for a K-pop concert, faced delays but maintained her resolve, opting to wait rather than buy a new ticket. “This is just a super unfortunate situation, but the airport staff did the best they could,” she said, embodying the spirit of resilience amid chaos.

Conclusion on Current Travel Situation

As South Korea continues to grapple with this historic snowstorm, travelers from Singapore and around the world should remain vigilant and informed about potential disruptions in their traveling plans.