Garuda Indonesia Flight Experiences APU Fire at Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore – A Garuda Indonesia flight experienced an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) fire although preparing for departure at Singapore Changi Airport on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The incident, involving flight GA829 destined for Jakarta, prompted a swift evacuation of passengers via emergency slides.
Incident Details
According to Garuda Indonesia, the flight crew identified a potential safety hazard in the rear section of the aircraft while finalizing pre-flight procedures. Most passengers were already onboard at the time. As a precautionary measure, the cabin crew initiated an evacuation using both the aerobridge and the rear escape slides to ensure a rapid and safe exit for all passengers.
“This process was carried out by accelerating passenger exit access, both via the aerobridge and escape slide from the rear two doors of the aircraft, to ensure that the evacuation process was rapid, and safe. All passengers managed to get off the plane safely,” stated Dicky Irchamsyah, Head of Corporate Communications at Garuda Indonesia, in an official statement to detikTravel.
APU Fire and Safety Procedures
The incident involved a fire in the aircraft’s Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). The APU is an emergency system designed to provide power to the aircraft while it is on the ground and can as well be used to operate emergency systems, including fire suppression equipment. The aircraft was equipped with a functioning fire extinguishing system for the APU, which was deployed during the incident.
Passenger Assistance and Flight Resumption
All passengers were safely evacuated and subsequently departed for Jakarta on a replacement aircraft. Garuda Indonesia confirmed that passengers received compensation in accordance with applicable regulations for the inconvenience caused by the delay.
Garuda Indonesia’s Commitment to Safety
Garuda Indonesia emphasized that aviation safety and security remain its top priorities. The airline is coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure the handling process adheres to all applicable aviation safety standards.
“We continue to coordinate with the relevant authorities to ensure that the entire handling process runs in accordance with applicable aviation safety standards,” Irchamsyah added.
Recent Garuda Indonesia Milestones
This incident follows a period of celebration for Garuda Indonesia. Earlier this week, the airline commemorated 60 years of service to Singapore, coinciding with its 77th anniversary [1]. In February 2026, Garuda Indonesia also showcased its new Business and Economy Class configurations on its Airbus A330-900neo aircraft [3].