11 February 2022
AirAsia had to divert its Kuala Lumpur-Tawau flight to Kuching, owing to a snake onboard, last night.
Social media was abuzz with videos of the silhouette of a slender serpent slithering inside an Airbus A320 overhead baggage glass-compartment in the cabin.
Global tracking website FlightRadar24 reported that Flight AK5748 from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, was diverted to Kuching instead of its intended three-hour-20-minute, 1,800km trip to Tawau, Sabah.
AirAsia chief safety officer Captain Liong Tien Ling said the airline was aware of the incident.
“As soon as the flight captain was aware, he made the decision to divert the aircraft to Kuching as a precautionary measure to fumigate the aircraft.
“This is a very rare incident which can occur on any aircraft from time to time. The captain took the appropriate action and the flight will depart for Tawau as soon as possible.
“The safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew is always our top priority. At no time was the safety of guests or crew at any risk,” he said.
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia chief executive officer Captain Datuk Chester Voo Chee Soon confirmed the incident involving Flight AK5748.
He said the aircraft together with all its passengers and crew had safely diverted to Kuching International Airport, following the required safety procedures.
“CAAM flight operations inspectors confirm the aircraft is currently undergoing full fumigation as per the required procedures.
“CAAM will continue to monitor the situation with the airline’s accountable officers to ensure all risks are mitigated accordingly,” said Voo.
He added that overall, the diversion was handled very well and all safety procedures were followed closely and in compliance with regulations.
“Also, our inspectors are in constant communication with the airline,” he said.
Source: nst.com.my
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