MELBOURNE, June 1st 2017: A Malaysian Airlines flight from Melbourne (MEL) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) was asked to turn back to Melbourne due to an act of disruption by a single perpetrator. The flight, MH 128, departed from Melbourne at 11.11pm yesterday (31 May 2017).
The disruptive passenger was allegedly trying to open the cockpit door. Fortunately, a number of brave passengers acted fast and managed to subdue the disruptive passenger before the passenger made it to the cockpit. While the event is unfolding, the flight crews managed to alert the pilots in the cockpit, resulting in the eventual turn back by the pilot.
The airline gave a brief statement on its official site. Here is the full statement:
MH128, which had departed Melbourne Airport at 11.11pm scheduled to arrive Kuala Lumpur at 5.28am on 1 June, made a turn back to Melbourne after the operating Captain was alerted by a cabin crew of a passenger attempting to enter the cockpit.
Malaysia Airlines would like to stress that at no point was the aircraft ‘hijacked’.
MH128 safely landed in Melbourne airport at 11.41pm.
Following the incident on MH128, the disruptive passenger has been apprehended by airport security. Malaysia Airlines together with the Australian authorities will be investigating the incident.
Safety and security are of utmost priority to malaysia airlines. The airline wishes to apologise for the inconvenience caused.
Passengers have safely disembarked the aircraft and will be screened by Australian authorities.
They will be accommodated at hotels and offered on the next available flight or on other carriers.
Updated as 12.19am (GMT+8), 1 Jun 2017.