KOTA KINABALU - AirAsia has confirmed that a flight's return to Tawau Airport last Saturday was due to a technical alert triggered by a bird strike affecting one of the aircraft's engines.
AirAsia Aviation Group Deputy Group CEO Datuk Captain Chester Voo said that the crew of flight AK5741, operating from Tawau (TWU) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL), strictly adhered to safety and operational protocols.
The decision to return to the airport was made as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all onboard.
"The aircraft landed safely at Tawau Airport and all 177 passengers and crew disembarked without any incidents.
"An engineering inspection later revealed that the technical alert was caused by a bird strike on one of the aircraft’s engines. The affected aircraft was thoroughly inspected, repaired, and has since returned to service,” he said in a statement on Monday.
He added that passengers were well taken care of during the incident, with a replacement flight departing from Tawau at 9.58pm the same evening.
"They were also offered service recovery options, including free flight changes, credit to their accounts, full refunds, and additional travel vouchers as a gesture of appreciation," he added.
Voo emphasised the airline’s unwavering commitment to safety as its top priority.
"Our pilots and crew acted swiftly and professionally, adhering to established procedures," he said.
He also thanked airport operators and air traffic control for their prompt assistance in managing the bird strike incident, a known challenge in the aviation industry despite ongoing mitigation efforts.
"We are deeply grateful to the passengers of flight AK5741 for their understanding and patience during this unforeseen event," he said.
In response, AirAsia is collaborating with Malaysia Airports and other stakeholders to address bird strike risks through a Wildlife Management Programme.
"This initiative focuses on mitigating bird strikes in identified hotspots at domestic airports, reinforcing the airline’s dedication to operational safety," Voo said.
Previously, Sinar reported that an aircraft carrying passengers from Tawau to Kuala Lumpur had to turn back nearly an hour into the flight due to suspected engine issues.