MCA has expressed concern over the incident involving an AirAsia flight heading to Shenzhen, China that had to make a turnback to Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA 2) shortly after take-off due to a reported engine fire.
Its Youth wing’s deputy chairman Mike Chong Yew Chuan said while it is fortunate that the emergency crew had acted swiftly, the fact remains that the accident should not have occurred in the first place.
“This raises serious concerns about whether proper maintenance checks were carried out before departure and whether the aircraft was truly safe to fly. Passenger safety must never be compromised, and any failure in this regard demands full accountability,” he stated.
“Airlines must be held to the highest standards of aircraft maintenance and operational safety. Passengers place immense trust in airlines to ensure their well-being, and any deviation from these standards is unacceptable.”
Chong further urged AirAsia and all airline operators to take immediate steps to review their safety procedures and ensure that their aircrafts are properly maintained before every flight, adding that there is no room for oversight when lives are at stake.
“Aviation regulators must also investigate this matter thoroughly and take necessary action to strengthen enforcement where needed. Preventive measures must always take precedence over emergency responses,” he remarked.
“At the same time, AirAsia must take full responsibility for its passengers. Those affected should be provided with full refunds or alternative travel arrangements without unnecessary hassle.”
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director (Operations) Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the department was alerted about the emergency landing at 10.37pm on Wednesday (March 26) and dispatched a Fire Rescue Tender vehicle with nine personnel to the scene.
He said that flight AK128, which departed at 9.59pm carrying 171 passengers and crew, landed safely at KLIA 2 at 12.08am, with the fire already extinguished.
In a statement on Thursday (March 27), Ahmad Mukhlis said the operations officer had reported that the Airbus A320-216 suffered pneumatic ducting burst and the fire was contained by the onboard Halon system before landing.
Meanwhile, Chong also said clear communication about their rights and available compensations must also be prioritised to maintain public confidence.
“Transparency is crucial, as passengers deserve to know what went wrong and what steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future,” he added.
“This is not just about one flight. It is about accountability and the need for airlines to uphold strict safety standards at all times. A swift emergency response is commendable, but it should never take an accident to remind airlines of their duty to protect passengers.” – March 28, 2025
Main image: FMT
