Bangkok-bound Malaysia Airlines flight returns to KL

Bernama June 24 - A Malaysia Airlines flight bound for Bangkok was forced to turn back to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport tonight.

The airline said flight MH780, an Airbus A330-200, had to return to KLIA after experiencing a pressurisation issue at 5.59pm while en route to the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

“The operating pilots initiated an emergency descent although cabin altitude was not exceeded and passenger oxygen masks were not deployed,” it said in a statement.

Malaysia Airlines added that the aircraft remained stable and landed safely at KLIA at 8.18pm.

It was earlier reported by AviationSource News that the plane had to turn back due to an emergency.

According to the UK-based aviation news portal, the plane had already reached Thai airspace when it declared an emergency and adjusted its course for Kuala Lumpur.

Four days ago, Malaysia Airlines flight MH199 from Hyderabad to Kuala Lumpur had to return to Hyderabad after an engine malfunction led to sparks emanating from the aircraft.

The plane landed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 3.21am local time, with all passengers and crew disembarking safely.