Sydney-KL flight forced to turn back after man makes threats

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines flight MH122 passengers departing from Sydney International Airport to Kuala Lumpur, which had to turn back mid-flight, would be transferred to the next available flight.

Malaysia Airlines, in a statement yesterday, said the mid-air emergency yesterday was due to a disruptive passenger onboard.

“The passenger has now been detained by Australian police. Other passengers and crew have also completed disembarkation at 7pm.

“The aircraft will be thoroughly inspected by the police.

“Malaysia Airlines wishes to thank the authorities for their immediate response, and to passengers for remaining calm and cooperative during the ordeal.

“The safety and comfort of our crew and passengers are of utmost importance to Malaysia Airlines,” it said, Bernama reported.

The flight was carrying 194 passengers and five crew.

Earlier, an international news portal reported MH122 left Sydney International Airport at 1.40pm local time and landed back on the runway at 3.47pm.

Videos posted on X (formely Twitter) by individuals who claimed to be onboard flight MH122 showed crew members trying to calm a man down after he began shouting at other passengers.

Describing her ordeal on her X account, a passenger, @SammiMarks, said it was the scariest situation of her life.

“#MH122 this guy launches out of his seat with a backpack strapped on front and starts losing it. Yelling at the top of his lungs and ‘preaching’ incomprehensibly,” she said.

“He was stalking the aisles getting in the faces of passengers, cabin staff came through to contain him and he kicked even more.

“Unzipped his backpack, put his hands in, made barely veiled threats about having something dangerous in it screaming at the top of his lungs right next to my seat. Never been so scared,” she added.

She also expressed appreciation to the cabin crew for keeping the man contained.

Another user @chzaib said in a post on his X account that the man had later said that it was a joke.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP), in a separate statement, said the 45-year-old passenger had been arrested without incident, and was expected to be charged yesterday evening.