AirAsia X passengers depart for Jeddah on another plane after technical glitch

The AirAsia X flight bound for Jeddah which had earlier today encountered a technical problem and safely landed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) at 5.40pm, departed at 7.23pm.

AirAsia X Berhad in a media release said all passengers on board had been transferred to another aircraft which was scheduled for departure at 7pm.

It clarified that the aircraft had experienced a technical issue upon take-off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2).

"As a safety precaution, and in full compliance with all international security and safety standards, the aircraft made a turn-back and safely landed at klia2 at 5.40pm," it said in the statement.

Earlier, AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes was quoted by AFP, as saying, "one auto-thrust not functioning properly. Actually, okay to fly but we just returning it to base".

FlightRadar

A FlightRadar24 showing the Jeddah-bound AirAsia X D7172 flight which was forced to turn back after experiencing technical malfunction after it took off from klia2 on Sunday afternoon. - FlightRadar24 Photo

In a text message to AFP, Tony called the incident a "minor issue".

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai in his tweet also confirmed that the AirAsia X flight (D7172/XAX172) had safely landed at klia2 after circling for several hours over the Straits of Melaka.