A MALAYSIA Airlines flight bound for Seoul was turned back to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) less than an hour after takeoff last night.
It is unclear whether the flight had experienced technical issues that necessitated the return to the airport.
Malaysia Airlines has yet to release a statement regarding the incident but the carrier’s website lists the flight as "cancelled."
According to FlightRadar, Malaysia Airlines flight MH66 departed from KLIA for Seoul at 11.50pm last night. However, the aircraft landed at KLIA at 12.34am today.
Social media users said the aircraft had encountered a hydraulic problem shortly after takeoff, the New Straits Times reported.
A user, believed to have been on board flight MH66, said the passengers were provided with hotel accommodation near the airport and put on an 8pm flight tonight.
Malaysia Airlines has faced a series of flight delays and diversions in recent weeks. Last month, flight MH128 from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur had to land in Alice Springs due to mid-air engine issues.
Three other Malaysia Airlines flights were forced to make emergency landings this year. On August 4, a flight carrying 259 pilgrims to Jeddah returned to KLIA due to a technical problem shortly after takeoff. On June 24, a Bangkok-bound flight returned to KLIA after experiencing a pressurisation issue. On June 20, a flight with more than 100 passengers bound for Kuala Lumpur made an emergency landing at the Hyderabad airport in India because of an engine problem.
The airline’s parent company, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), attributed the operational challenges partly to the delayed delivery of new aircraft from manufacturers. It said it had received only four of the 17 new aircraft ordered.
MAG managing director Izham Ismail said global shortages had delayed spare parts production, leading to longer turnarounds for plane engine repairs and overhauls. Transport Minister Anthony Loke noted that the company had faced a significant loss of experienced technical staff to resignations this year.
MAG has since announced a reduction in flights and routes until December. – September 2, 2024.
