Skidded aircraft: 48 flights cancelled, over 3,500 stranded at Sibu Airport

PETALING JAYA: More than 3,500 passengers were left stranded at the Sibu Airport after a Malaysia Airlines flight skidded upon landing at 10.17pm on Saturday during a downpour.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd said in a statement that flight MH2718 skidded upon landing at the Sibu Airport at 10.17pm on Saturday after a downpour and the runway has been closed.
It said the closure was to allow investigations into the incident and to carry out repair works to the aircraft.
The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 aircraft was carrying 69 passengers - 61 adults, two infants and six crew members, when it skidded and landed in an awkward position. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the incident is being investigated by the Department of Civil Aviation.
MAHB advised passengers to check with their respective airlines on their flight status.

The cause of the incident was being investigated by the DCA and a team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (BSKU) under the Transport Ministry.
The airport closure resulted in the cancellation of 28 MASwings flights, AirAsia (16) and MAS (four), affecting about 3,787 passengers.

Flights affected were for arrivals and departures from Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Bintulu and Johor Baru.
Sibu Airport manager Zainuddin Abu Nasir said the safety of all passengers was of utmost priority.
He said while the airport was expected to be operational by 8pm tonight, airlines nonetheless had decided to cancel all flights due to the short period of time for operation as the airport closes at 10pm.
"Sibu Airport was fully operational as of 10pm last night (Sunday).
Zainuddin said the aircraft's final stop was about 1,200 metres from the threshold – it was almost at the centre of the runway, the full length of the runway was 2,745 metres.