KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne was suddenly diverted to Perth early this morning.
The MH149 flight was 5.5 hours through the seven-hour flight when it was diverted due to a medical emergency at about 4am today.
MAS in a statement today said the flight did not make an emergency landing as reported by a foreign publication.
“Malaysia Airlines’ crew who had earlier provided assistance on-board to a sick passenger, made a call to divert to Perth to ensure proper medical attention is given to the passenger.
“Our staff on ground at Perth Airport had made arrangements for the passenger to be transferred to the nearest hospital.”
The flight then left Perth at 6am and arrived at Melbourne at 12:28pm the same day.
MAS reassured that the safety and comfort of its passengers remain of utmost importance.
Earlier in the day, the Daily Mail UK released footage of several paramedics and security personnel on-board the plane to assist the sick passenger.
In January, MAS flight MH122 from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur was diverted to Alice Springs Airport, Australia, after facing technical difficulties.
And in May last year, a MAS flight from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur returned to the airport in Melbourne due to a “disruptive passenger”.