British Airways circles for over 4 hours then returns to Singapore

BRITISH AIRWAYS BOEING 747-436 G-CICZ (MSN 28854)

Today's Bristish Airways flight 12, travelling from Singapore (SIN/WSSS) to London's Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) stopped climb out of Singapore, circled for 5 hours to burn fuel and the returned to Singapore.

The flight, which was due to depart at 23.20 local time, finally started taxiing 3 hours 40 minutes later at 03.00 and taxied out for runway 20 centre. It got airborne from 20 centre at 03.10 and started its climb to 32,000 feet. 28 minutes later it leveled off at flt lvl 270 and turned back towards Singapore. 

It descended to and maintained 10,000 feet for the next 4 hours while performing 29 circuits.

It landed safely on runway 02 centre at 08.23.

The cause of the diversion has not been determined yet.

Aircraft Information:
Airline: British Airways
Code: BA/BAW

Aircraft: Airbus A380-841

Registration: G-XLED

Serial Number: 144

Engines: 4 x RR Trent 970

First Flew: August 2013

Age: 10.8 Years