In a statement, the national carrier said that flight MH145 was retimed twice due to “an unexpected technical issue involving the aircraft system”.

“In the interest of safety, the operating pilots decided to discontinue takeoff during low speed,” it said.

Earlier today, one of the passengers told the New Zealand Herald that the flight was about to take off on New Year’s Day when the pilot allegedly stopped the plane, causing the passengers to lurch forward.

One passenger was so stressed, the New Zealand daily reported, that an ambulance had to be called.

Serjit Singh, of Red Beach in New Zealand, told the daily that the flight was subsequently aborted with passengers booked on another flight the next day, on the same plane, only for it to come to a halt again before it took off.

Serjit is furious about how Malaysia Airlines treated the passengers and said those who were not in business class were forced to spend hours at the gate.

He also claimed that no senior person from the carrier addressed the issue or was seen managing the issue during the entire ordeal.

Malaysia Airlines, however, said hotel accommodation, meals and transportation were organised for all affected passengers.

Some, it added, were transferred on other available carriers.

“Safety is Malaysia Airlines’ number one priority at all times and it regrets the inconvenience caused to its passengers,” the statement said.