Malaysian Airlines MH128 makes emergency landing in Alice Springs

‘One heck of a nightmare journey’: A Malaysian Airlines international flight has had to make an emergency landing in the Red Centre. READ THE AIRLINE’S RESPONSE.

Passengers leaving an airplane. Picture: iStock

A flight from southeast Australia to southeast Asia has made an emergency landing in the Red Centre – leading to a nightmare experience for one passenger.

Malaysian Airlines flight MH128 flying from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur made the emergency landing in Alice Springs airport on Tuesday morning, the Airport Development Group confirmed.

Airport Development Group’s executive general manager Rob Porter said all passengers on board were safe.

“The team at Alice Springs Airport worked diligently to ensure the majority of passengers were rebooked and departed on domestic flights today,” he said.

“A smaller number of passengers will stay overnight in Alice Springs and will be flown out on domestic flights tomorrow.”

Malaysia Airlines plane. Photo: iStock

The plane is still grounded at Alice Springs airport – with repairs now up to Malaysian airlines, according to Airport Development Group.

In statement, Malaysian Airlines said the flight “landed safely at 4:35am local time” due to a “technical issue”.

“Malaysia Airlines regrets the inconvenience caused by baggage offloading delays,” the statement said.

“We are currently working with the airport handler to address equipment limitations for widebody aircraft and expedite the process.”

The Airport Development Group said the team at Alice Springs Airport will continue to provide support and assistance to the airline while continuing to ensure safe and secure airport operations are maintained.

Taking to Facebook, one user said the flight’s re-routing through Alice Springs had turned their friend’s flight into a 40-hour journey.

Posting in True Malaysia Airlines Fans Group on Facebook, Bryan Doyle said “one engine stopped working” on the plane.

He said some passengers went to hotels, while others were put on planes to Sydney or Perth.

He said his friend now had “one heck of a nightmare journey home” – being redirected from Alice Springs to Brisbane, then Sydney, and finally Singapore.

A Malaysia Airlines spokesperson told this masthead it was “actively working to rebook passengers on new flights, while also arranging accommodation and reimbursements for meal expenses where applicable.”

“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority” the airline’s statement said.