ICA probe into checkpoint disruptions reveals technical glitch, system overload

A TECHNICAL glitch may have been behind the over four hour-long delay that struck travellers at Singapore’s land checkpoints and Changi Airport 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,” the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Friday night.

Automated immigration clearance at the checkpoints became unavailable at about 10.40 am on Friday, ICA said. Automated clearance lanes at all the departure terminals at Changi Airport were affected, as well as the arrival terminals at Terminals 2 and 4.

Certain automated lanes for departing and arriving bus passengers, and all the automated lanes for motorcycles at both the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints were also affected, the agency added.

ICA had earlier announced the disruption on Facebook at 11.28 am and initially advised travellers to postpone all non-essential travel. It also recalled its off-duty officers to provide additional support during the disruption, which saw snaking queues of travellers forming at the airport and land checkpoints.

The disruptions were mostly resolved by 3.44 pm, with only automated arrival lanes for motorcycles at Tuas Checkpoint still facing issues.

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Disruption in clearance system affecting some checkpoints, delays expected: ICA

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“ICA regrets the inconvenience caused to travellers who have taken a longer time to clear immigration,” the agency said.

In a Facebook post just before 4 pm on Friday, ICA updated that immigration clearance at all Singapore checkpoints were back to normal.