MAB passengers required to carry their e-cigarettes in carry-on baggage

"This is based on the Federal Aviation Administration recommendation for all airline operators to ensure e-cigarettes (also called personal vaporisers or electronic nicotine delivery) are carried by passengers exclusively in the cabin of the aircraft and not in checked-in baggage.

"However, use of e-cigarettes is strictly not permitted in the cabin," MAB said in a statement Tuesday.

It was reported that an e-cigarette battery inside a bag on a passenger's lap suddenly burst into flames just after the aircraft (Malindo Air) took off from Kota Kinabalu for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 at about 6.45 pm last Sunday.

The passenger is reported to have sustained burns on the thighs and left hand.

"Carrying e-cigarettes in the passenger cabin ensures that if an accident occurs, it can be immediately identified and mitigated," the statement said.

Malaysia Airlines said it would continuously review and benchmark its safety policies against international best practices.