Questions after passengers left onboard plane with 'threatening' man for hours - 9News

Passengers say they were without food, water, and in some cases medication for hours after a "disruptive passenger" forced a plane bound for Malaysia to return to Sydney.

More than 30 domestic flights were cancelled to and from Sydney Airport and extensive delays remained after the incident on Malaysia Airlines flight MH122 to Kuala Lumpur on Monday afternoon.

The aircraft left Sydney Airport at 1.40pm carrying 199 passengers and 12 crew and landed safely back on the runway at 3.47pm, where it sat for hours with emergency vehicles nearby.

An airline passenger has been arrested after a flight from Sydney to Malaysia was turned around over NSW due to what the airline called a "disruptive passenger onboard". (9News)

Video from on board the plane allegedly shows a man, who was wearing a backpack, threatening passengers and staff.

Passengers onboard allege the man made a thinly veiled threat to having a dangerous device in his backpack.

The Australian Federal Police said a 45-year-old man was arrested.

No charges have yet been announced.

"The AFP will not divulge operational matters, however, an emergency response plan was enacted and an evacuation was initiated once it was deemed safe for passengers and crew," the AFP said in a statement.

A Malaysian Airlines plane turned back to Sydney Airport. (Nine)

But questions have been raised over the length of time it took to resolve the incident, with the first passengers finally evacuated at 6.30pm.

They were brought to an airport lounge where police spoke with them. None of the 194 passengers on board were allowed to bring luggage with them, they told Today.

They also claimed they had not been updated while on the plane on when they might be able to leave.

Some said they had left medication they needed on board the plane.

Those who lived in Sydney were allowed to return home after police spoke to the crowd, while others were given vouchers for nearby hotels.

Flight MH122, which was bound for Malaysia, has returned to Sydney Airport. (FlightAware)

Malaysia Airlines said earlier the flight was turned around due to a "disruptive passenger onboard".

"In the interest of safety, the commander of the flight made a decision to return to Sydney," a Malaysia Airlines spokesperson said.

"The safety and comfort of our crew and passengers are of utmost importance to Malaysia Airlines.

"The aircraft will be thoroughly inspected by the police.

"Passengers will be transferred to the next available flights after obtaining clearance from the authorities."

Sydney Airport said 32 domestic flights had been cancelled, 16 inbound and 16 outbound, and other domestic flights had delays of up to 90 minutes.

The plane was sitting on a runway surrounded by fire trucks. (9News)

No international flights were affected and passengers are being told to check for updates with their airlines.

A Sydney Airport spokesperson said earlier it was supporting emergency agencies in the management of an incident at the airport.

"The airport is operational with flights arriving and departing," the spokesperson said.

"Passengers are encouraged to check directly with their airline regarding the status of their flight."

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) was called to meet the plane on arrival and confirmed earlier it was "responding to an emergency incident at Sydney International Airport".

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2023-08-14 20:16:47Z
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