JOHOR BARU: A Johor state government delegation on board a Gulf Air flight was forced to turn back mid-air due to a technical issue today.
Johor Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid recounted the nerve-wracking experience on his Facebook page.
He shared that the Gulf Air flight from Bahrain had been airborne for three and a half hours before the pilot announced the decision to return to Bahrain International Airport.
The state delegation was transiting in Bahrain and was heading to Singapore. However, due to the technical glitches, they were forced to turn back.
Fared and his delegation were on a Middle Eastern working trip, which included visits to Turkey, Jordan, and Bahrain, to renew established cooperation with universities, study improvements in organising Arabic and English language management courses, participate in volunteering programmes, and contribute to charity work at the Palestinian camps in Jordan.
They also conducted engagements with Johor students based there to prepare for the delivery of RM2 million in aid under the Johor-Palestine mission.
The delegation members included the National Muzakarah Council for Islamic Affairs Malaysia (MKI) chairman Datuk Dr Nooh Gadut and state Women, Family, and Community Development Committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail.
Describing the mid-air experience as 'heart-stopping', Fared said the pilot remained calm and apologised to the passengers. He added that the pilot's calm and collected attitude reassured the passengers.
Upon arriving at Bahrain International Airport, the passengers were compensated with meal vouchers by the airline as a gesture of goodwill.