KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysia Airlines flight to Colombo had to turn back to Kuala Lumpur International Airport due to a drunk passenger, the national carrier said today.
Flight MH179 had taken off from Kuala Lumpur late last night.
"The intoxicated passenger started harassing Malaysia Airlines' crew shortly after the flight was airborne," the company said in a statement.
"Due to his big body size, other guests had to assist the crew to restrain the passenger."
The airline said the plane was forced to return to "ensure safety and comfort of those onboard" and the unruly passenger had been handed over to authorities.
The flag carrier did not give other details.
Flightradar24 had tweeted early today that the plane was returning after dumping fuel for two hours in the Straits of Malacca to reduce the weight of the plane, before landing.
AFP could not immediately reach Malaysia Airlines for comment.
The carrier suffered two major aviation tragedies last year.
Flight MH370, carrying 239 people, disappeared in March after inexplicably diverting from its Kuala Lumpur-Beijing course. No trace of the aircraft has been found.
MH17 went down in July in rebellion-torn eastern Ukraine after being hit by a surface-to-air missile. All 298 people aboard were killed. --AFP