SINGAPORE — A mid-air journey turned into a terrifying ordeal for a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight attendant. A passenger who molested and relentlessly harassed her during a flight from Bangkok to Singapore has been handed a prison sentence.
The incident took place in front of the man’s companions. Instead of intervening to stop the inappropriate behavior, his friends reportedly laughed and cheered him on. The case has sparked fresh conversations regarding the safety and protection of airline staff in the skies.
Key Takeaways
- The Offender: Akash Tiwari, a 35-year-old Indian national, pleaded guilty to charges of molestation and harassment.
- The Sentence: A Singapore court sentenced the passenger to six months in jail on June 22, 2026.
- Financial Penalty: The offender must pay S$1,270.95 in compensation to the cabin crew member.
- The Incident: The harassment escalated from physical touching in the cabin to cornering the victim alone inside the galley.
According to official court records reported by The Straits Times, the 35-year-old passenger traveled with a group of friends who were behaving in a rowdy manner. The group frequently waved frantically and laughed whenever female flight attendants walked past their seats.
The situation quickly escalated before the plane even left the ground in Thailand. While the stewardess was confirming meal orders with the group, the passenger reached out and intentionally brushed his hand against her upper thigh.
Instead of feeling remorseful, the traveler and his companions laughed at the interaction. Distressed by the inappropriate contact, the flight attendant alerted her supervisor. She was promptly reassigned to work in a different aisle of the aircraft to avoid further contact with the group.
Escalating Behavior and Lack of Remorse
Despite being moved to a separate service zone, the victim could not entirely escape the passenger. Later in the flight, she returned to the area to collect used meal trays from passengers.
As she pushed the tray cart down the aisle with her back turned, the man leaned far out from his seat. He intentionally nudged his elbow directly against her buttocks.
“She was very upset and told the accused not to touch her. Instead of apologising, he smirked,” the prosecution stated during the court hearing.
The flight attendant, growing increasingly upset, firmly repeated her demand for him to stop touching her. Another friend in the group laughed loudly at her visible discomfort. The friend even joked that he wanted a beer so he could watch the “show.”
The most severe part of the harassment occurred as the aircraft began its final descent into Singapore. The stewardess retreated to the aircraft galley, a narrow and isolated workspace, to prepare the cabin for landing.
The passenger left his seat and followed the woman into the empty room. He stood extremely close to her, ignoring her clear instructions to back away.
Arrest at Changi Airport and Sentencing
The passenger persisted with his threatening behavior and cornered the terrified worker. She was forced to shout at him to stop pursuing her before escaping back out into the main cabin aisle.
The cabin crew member immediately sought safety with the chief stewardess. Witnesses in the cabin observed her in tears, visibly trembling, with both of her hands shaking from fear.
The flight captain was immediately briefed on the situation and alerted law enforcement on the ground. Officers from the Airport Police Division arrested the man as soon as the plane touched down at Changi Airport.
As detailed by Channel NewsAsia, the traveler pleaded guilty to one count of molestation and one count of harassment. The judge handed down a six-month prison sentence. The offender was also ordered to pay S$1,270.95 to cover the victim’s medical expenses and emotional trauma.
Airlines and flight crew associations have reiterated that cabin crew are on board to ensure safety. They should never have to endure abuse or harassment while performing their professional duties.
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