KUALA LUMPUR: The government must investigate and assist Malaysia Airlines with the technical issues facing the national career after six incidents in the past two months, says a former transport minister.
"The public is questioning, 'What has happened to Malaysia Airlines? Is it safe to fly with Malaysia Airlines?'," said Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong in a Facebook post today.
"This seems to be a crisis of confidence among passengers in Malaysia Airlines, which is likely to damage the country's reputation and potentially lead to losses for Malaysia Aviation Group if these incidents continue."
He said such a scenario would ultimately affect the country's economy and this was why the government, and particularly the Transport Ministry must assist Malaysia Airlines to prevent a repeat of similar incidents.
Wee said that Malaysia Airlines encountered a number of incidents involving its flights since the beginning of last year.
He listed the key events as following:
- Jan 9, 2023 - Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330 experienced a significant fuel system issue during a flight from KL to Melbourne resulting in an emergency landing.
- April 3, 2023 - A Malaysia Airlines flight was forced to turn back to KLIA shortly after takeoff due to technical issues.
- July 10, 2023 - A Kuching-bound Malaysia Airlines flight had to abort takeoff at KLIA due to technical issues.
- Sept 14, 2023 - A Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 encountered a runaway excursion during takeoff at Melbourne Airport.
- June 20, 2024 - A KL-bound Malaysia Airlines flight from India made an emergency landing at Hyderabad Airport due to an engine problem.
- June 24, 2024 - A Bangkok-bound Malaysia Airlines flight was forced to turn back to KLIA due to pressurisation issues.
- Aug 16, 2024 - A Malaysia Airlines flight from Melbourne made an emergency landing in Alice Springs due to engine trouble.
- Aug 21, 2024 - A Shanghai-bound Malaysia Airlines flight was forced to turn back to KLIA due to pressurisation issues.
Aside from the incidents listed by Wee, it has also been reported that a Jeddah-bound Malaysia Airlines flight had to turn back to KLIA due to a technical problem.
Aside from the incidents listed by Wee, it has also been reported that a Jeddah-bound Malaysia Airlines flight had to turn back to KLIA due to a technical problem.
Yesterday, it was reported that a pressurisation issue forced a Medina-bound Malaysia Airlines flight to turn back to KLIA.