A Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight bound for Istanbul was forced to turn back yesterday after a deadly suicide attack at the city's Ataturk international airport.

Two other flights to and from the Turkish city were also cancelled.

Flight SQ392, which departed from Changi Airport Terminal 3 at 1.45am yesterday, was due to arrive at Istanbul at about noon Singapore time.

The Boeing 777-200, with 201 passengers and 14 crew on board, eventually returned to Changi at about 10.50am.

By the time the flight arrived, Ataturk had reopened. The same passengers departed again at 12.30pm for Istanbul.

The return flight is expected back in Singapore at 11.30am today.

The attack on the Istanbul airport on Tuesday evening (local Turkish time) left at least 41 people dead and 239 wounded.

Other flights were also disrupted.

A Turkish Airlines flight which was due to arrive in Singapore at 6pm yesterday was cancelled, as was the return flight which would have departed at 10pm.

SIA said on its website that it would waive all fees for re-booking or re-routing for customers holding confirmed tickets on SIA flights to and from Istanbul.

The waiver is valid for tickets issued on or before yesterday for travel up to July 31.

Fare top-ups may apply for re-routing.

SIA said that it was saddened by the attack.

Three suicide bombers opened fire before blowing themselves up at the entrance of the airport.