Immigration checkpoint delays caused by 'technical glitch' during system upgrade: ICA
SINGAPORE: A glitch in the automated immigration clearance system sparked hours-long delays and snaking queues at Singapore's checkpoints, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Friday (Mar 31).
"Preliminary investigations found that there was a technical glitch during a pre-scheduled system upgrade, and this caused an unanticipated system overload," said a spokesperson.
ICA said that automated immigration clearance at checkpoints "became unavailable" at about 10.40am.
Automated clearance lanes at all the departure terminals at Changi Airport were affected, along with arrival terminals at Terminals 2 and 4.
At the Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints, all automated motorcycle lanes - as well as some automated lanes for departing and arriving bus passengers - were affected, said ICA.
The agency said that as part of its "business continuity plan", it redirected travellers to manual counters for immigration clearance.
"Off-duty officers were immediately recalled, and these additional resources were deployed to man all the immigration counters and perform crowd control," ICA's spokesperson added.
ICA also used radio broadcasts and social media to advise travellers to factor in additional time for immigration clearance.
At midday, it had posted on Facebook advising travellers to "postpone all non-essential travel, where applicable".
In its statement on Wednesday night, ICA noted that automated immigration clearance progressively resumed over time, and "full normalcy" was restored at about 4pm.
"ICA apologises for the inconvenience caused, and would like to thank travellers for their understanding, patience, and cooperation with our officers on the ground," said the spokesperson.
"We are conducting a thorough investigation and will be putting in place additional safeguards to prevent reoccurrence."
Changi Airport said in a 5pm Facebook update that a "small" number of passengers missed their flights due to the delays, despite priority being given to those with imminent departures.
Singapore checkpoints, including at Changi Airport, affected by disruption to immigration system
SINGAPORE — Issues with Singapore's immigration system are causing delays for travellers on Friday (March 31), including passengers at Changi Airport.
In a Facebook post at about 11.30am, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said there was "intermittent slowness" of its immigration clearance system across all checkpoints.
The agency said about half an hour later that it was experiencing "system slowness" at selected passenger clearance checkpoints.
"Delays are expected and travellers are advised to postpone all non-essential travel, where applicable," ICA said.
"ICA regrets the inconvenience caused to travellers and seeks their understanding and patience."
Photos posted online showed crowds and long lines of passengers at Changi Airport Terminals 4.
Changi Airport said that an immigration system disruption affected the auto-lanes for departing and arriving passengers across the terminals.
"Passengers should expect delays and approach our ground staff if assistance is needed," Changi Airport said in a Facebook post.
In response to CNA queries, Changi Airport said it is assisting passengers, giving queue priority to those with imminent departures.
When CNA arrived at Terminal 4 at about 1pm, an announcement was heard over the speakers, saying immigration clearance for all departing passengers had been delayed for technical reasons.
Crowds at the departure hall appeared to have cleared.
The queues were instead seen at the immigration counters within the terminal’s automatic clearance area.
Each queue at the baggage scanners had at least 20 passengers in line.
Real-time footage of the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoint via the onemotoring website also showed long lines of traffic headed to the Causeway.
Immigration checkpoint delays caused by 'technical glitch' during system upgrade: ICA
SINGAPORE: A glitch in the automated immigration clearance system sparked hours-long delays and snaking queues at Singapore's checkpoints, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Friday (Mar 31).
"Preliminary investigations found that there was a technical glitch during a pre-scheduled system upgrade, and this caused an unanticipated system overload," said a spokesperson.
ICA said that automated immigration clearance at checkpoints "became unavailable" at about 10.40am.
Automated clearance lanes at all the departure terminals at Changi Airport were affected, along with arrival terminals at Terminals 2 and 4.
At the Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints, all automated motorcycle lanes - as well as some automated lanes for departing and arriving bus passengers - were affected, said ICA.
The agency said that as part of its "business continuity plan", it redirected travellers to manual counters for immigration clearance.
"Off-duty officers were immediately recalled, and these additional resources were deployed to man all the immigration counters and perform crowd control," ICA's spokesperson added.
ICA also used radio broadcasts and social media to advise travellers to factor in additional time for immigration clearance.
At midday, it had posted on Facebook advising travellers to "postpone all non-essential travel, where applicable".
In its statement on Wednesday night, ICA noted that automated immigration clearance progressively resumed over time, and "full normalcy" was restored at about 4pm.
"ICA apologises for the inconvenience caused, and would like to thank travellers for their understanding, patience, and cooperation with our officers on the ground," said the spokesperson.
"We are conducting a thorough investigation and will be putting in place additional safeguards to prevent reoccurrence."
Changi Airport said in a 5pm Facebook update that a "small" number of passengers missed their flights due to the delays, despite priority being given to those with imminent departures.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/immigration-clearance-delays-system-upgrade-glitch-3388681
Our immigration clearance system kenna hacked siboh?
Singapore checkpoints, including at Changi Airport, affected by disruption to immigration system
SINGAPORE — Issues with Singapore's immigration system are causing delays for travellers on Friday (March 31), including passengers at Changi Airport.
In a Facebook post at about 11.30am, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said there was "intermittent slowness" of its immigration clearance system across all checkpoints.
The agency said about half an hour later that it was experiencing "system slowness" at selected passenger clearance checkpoints.
"Delays are expected and travellers are advised to postpone all non-essential travel, where applicable," ICA said.
"ICA regrets the inconvenience caused to travellers and seeks their understanding and patience."
Photos posted online showed crowds and long lines of passengers at Changi Airport Terminals 4.
Changi Airport said that an immigration system disruption affected the auto-lanes for departing and arriving passengers across the terminals.
"Passengers should expect delays and approach our ground staff if assistance is needed," Changi Airport said in a Facebook post.
In response to CNA queries, Changi Airport said it is assisting passengers, giving queue priority to those with imminent departures.
When CNA arrived at Terminal 4 at about 1pm, an announcement was heard over the speakers, saying immigration clearance for all departing passengers had been delayed for technical reasons.
Crowds at the departure hall appeared to have cleared.
The queues were instead seen at the immigration counters within the terminal’s automatic clearance area.
Each queue at the baggage scanners had at least 20 passengers in line.
Real-time footage of the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoint via the onemotoring website also showed long lines of traffic headed to the Causeway.
CNA has contacted ICA for more information.
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/singapore-checkpoints-including-changi-airport-affected-disruption-immigration-system-2141996
Walao this is so malu......first DBS Bank...now Changi Airport...what's next???
Sinkies love to queue right? HAPPY QUEUEING THEN!!!!!
It ain't just Changi Airport, both Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints were also affected.
That's the world's no.1 airport for you. ;)