Friday 29 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): Malaysia Airlines Bhd has issued an apology to the passengers of Auckland-bound flight MH145 after it halted twice before taking off.

In a statement today, the airline stated that the halting was due to an unexpected technical issue involving the aircraft system.

"In the interest of safety, the operating pilots decided to discontinue take-off during low speed," it said.

The airline said safety is its number one priority at all times and it regrets the inconvenience caused to its passengers.

Malaysia Airlines said hotel accommodation, meals and transportation were organised for all passengers who were affected while some were transferred on other available carriers.

The New Zealand Herald reported that flight MH145 was to lift off on New Year's day when the pilot slammed on the brakes, resulting in the plane coming to a juddering halt.

Passengers on board were reported to have lurched forward in their seats.

"The ordeal was harrowing," Serjit Singh, a passenger on board the flight, was quoted as saying. As the plane skidded to a stop, he thought another plane was going to crash into them.

One passenger was so stressed, an ambulance was called, the article said.

The initial flight was aborted and passengers were booked on another flight the next day, with the same plane.

Despite being assured that the plane was fit to fly, the aircraft came to halt as it was to take off again.

"We refused and said we are not getting on the same plane and we are not to be used as crash test dummies. This was the collective view of the entire flight," Serjit was quoted as saying.

An hour later, Malaysia Airlines announced that a new flight, MH145D, was arranged for that afternoon on a different plane. The plane landed in Auckland on Jan 3 at 6.30am.

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