In a statement, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd said it was common for migrating swarms of bees to congregate at airports, especially at the airside.

The bees, MAHB said, would normally disperse when there was rain or strong winds.

“We monitor such situations and if they do not disperse by nightfall, we will get pest control to fumigate so as to avoid the formation of a beehive.

“Such activities are normally done at night for safety reasons as it would be hazardous to disturb the swarm during the day.”

It added that the swarm in question appeared between 10am and 11am today. If the swarm did not disperse, it said, fumigation would be carried out at 8pm.

“We have not had any situation where the migrating swarm has caused harm to anyone in the past.”

Earlier, AirAsia group chief executive Tony Fernandes criticised MAHB in a tweet over the swarm, in a continued attack on the airport operator.

Bad blood between AirAsia and MAHB goes back years and was most recently ramped up after a dispute over the collection of passenger service charges