Malaysia Airlines flight passenger 'threatens staff' forcing plane to turn back

14 August 2023 , 08:07

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Malaysia Airlines flight passenger 'threatens staff' forcing plane to turn back

A plane was forced to return to Sydney Airport less than two hours into its journey after a passenger was "threatening staff and passengers".

Malaysia Airlines flight MH122 was on its way to Kuala Lumpur from Sydney when the crew was forced to change its path over New South Wales, local news reports.

The plane took off from Sydney at 1.40pm local time and returned at 3.47pm. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) were called to meet the plane on arrival. Nearly three hours after returning to the airport, police were seen boarding the flight and putting the man in handcuffs.

A passenger claiming to be onboard the flight has tweeted a person was "threatening staff and passengers". Images on social media show a man kneeling in the middle of the aisle after the plane landed back at the airport. In one video, a passenger is seen yelling at cabin crew while terrified people watch on.

Passengers took to X to say the man began threatening passengers (chzaib/Twitter)

Passengers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their anger at waiting for police to board the plane. They also shared how the entire ordeal terrified them.

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One passenger described how terrifying the situation was before praising the cabin crew. She wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Started early in the flight with constant chanting over and over again. A few people were quizzical and looked around but were being polite about it.

"Unzipped his backpack, put his hands in, made barely veiled threats about having something dangerous in it screaming at the top of his lungs right next to my seat. Never been so scared.

This is the moment cabin crew try to calm down a passenger

"Then this guy launches out of his seat with a backpack strapped ON FRONT and starts losing it. Yelling at the top of his lungs and ‘preaching’ incomprehensibly.

"He was stalking the aisles getting in the faces of passengers. Cabin staff came through to contain him and he kicked off even more." She then explained how the plane came back to the airport where they flight had remained grounded while waiting for security to get the individual off.

This is the flight path MH122 took (Flight Aware)

She added: "Absolute kudos to the cabin crew. I know they train for this stuff but keeping this guy contained was not easy. He’s not a small bloke - big bloody unit. Not young but no 10-pound lightweight either."

One passenger wrote on X: “Sydney Airport is suffering at the hands of this lunatic. Praying for everyone’s safety and well-being. Where is airport security?! It’s been well over an hour since the plane has landed back!!!"

Passengers described how they were left terrified by the ordeal

One passenger told NCA Newswire that the man allegedly started threatening people to not "touch his bag". He added: “He was threatening people that he has a bag. He was chanting ‘Allah Akbar’ and then when staff tried to calm him down he said don’t come near him or he will blow the bomb in his bag.”

A spokesperson for Sydney International Airport wrote on X: "We are currently supporting emergency agencies in the management of an incident at the airport. The airport is operational with flights arriving and departing. Passengers are encouraged to check directly with their airline regarding the status of their flight.

"As a result of this afternoon’s incident, there have been 32 domestic flights cancelled (16 inbound + 16 outbound), with delays of up to 90mins for other domestic flights. Currently no international flight cancellations. Passengers are encouraged to check with their airline regarding the status of their flight."

Alahna Kindred