SINGAPORE - Passengers on a Tigerair flight bound for Bangkok were forced to switch aircraft twice at Changi Airport, causing a five-hour delay on Monday (Nov 7) morning, reported Chinese newspaper Shin Min Daily News.

The flight, which was carrying 150 passengers, was scheduled for take-off at 7am. But after the aircraft left Terminal 2, the pilots discovered a fault in the braking system.

Passengers were asked to disembark from the plane to board another aircraft at the same terminal.

However, their ordeal was not over as the substitute aircraft had a "slow engine start", according to a Tigerair spokesman.

Passengers then boarded a second substitute aircraft. After five hours of delay, the Tigerair flight took off at noon.

According to the spokesman, 16 passengers did not continue with the flight and will be refunded. Passengers were also provided with refreshments during the delay.

"Safety is of utmost importance to Tigerair and we will spare no effort to ensure the safety of our passengers," said Tigerair in a statement.

The incident comes two days after a bird struck the windscreen of another Tigerair flight, causing cracks to appear. The flight, which had departed Hong Kong International Airport for Singapore, was forced to divert back shortly after take-off.

The plane landed safely back at the airport, with no reported injuries to anyone onboard.

Some of the passengers were scheduled for a later flight that day, while others had to wait for the next flight on Sunday.