SEPANG: The AirAsia X flight bound for Jeddah which had earlier today encountered a technical problem and safely landed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) at 5.40pm, departed at 7.23pm.
AirAsia X Berhad in a media release said all passengers on board had been transferred to another aircraft which was scheduled for departure at 7pm.
It clarified that the aircraft had experienced a technical issue upon take-off from klia2.
“As a safety precaution, and in full compliance with all international security and safety standards, the aircraft made a turn-back and safely landed at klia2 at 5.40pm,” said AirAsia X Berhad spokesman.
Earlier, AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes was quoted by AFP, as saying, “one auto-thrust not functioning properly. Actually, okay to fly but we just returning it to base.”
In the text message to AFP, Tony called the incident a “minor issue.”
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai in his tweet also confirmed that the AirAsia X flight (D7172/XAX172) had safely landed at klia2 after circling for several hours over the Straits of Malacca.– BERNAMA