Flight data from FlightRadar showed that MH152, which left KLIA at 2.23pm, had to turn back to KLIA as it was passing the Nicobar Islands in the Andaman Sea, and landed safely back at KLIA at 5.22pm.

In a statement, Malaysia Airlines said the pilots promptly initiated a precautionary descent, though cabin altitude remained within safe limits and passenger oxygen masks were not deployed.

“The aircraft is currently on ground for further inspection.

“All passengers have been provided hotel accommodations and meal arrangements, and will be transferred to flight MH158 on Aug 23,” the airline said.

The airline said subsequent flight MH153 from Madinah to Kuala Lumpur has also been affected, and that the affected passengers were transferred to flight MH159 today.

On Tuesday, Malaysia Airlines flight MH386 bound for Shanghai from Kuala Lumpur was forced to return to KLIA after experiencing a cabin pressure problem.

Astro Awani reported that the aircraft experienced the problem shortly after departing from KLIA Terminal 1 at 9.14pm.

Flight data from FlightRadar showed that the Airbus A330-300 declared a general emergency soon after takeoff.

On the same day, Malaysia Airlines flight MH128 from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur was forced to make a diversion to Alice Springs after experiencing engine problems mid-air.

Malaysia Airlines said the Airbus A330-323 had suffered a “technical issue”.

Three other Malaysia Airlines flights have also had to make emergency landings recently.

On Aug 4, a Malaysia Airlines flight with 259 pilgrims bound for Jeddah returned to KLIA due to a technical problem soon after takeoff.

On June 24, a Bangkok-bound flight returned to KLIA after experiencing a pressurisation issue.

On June 20, a Malaysia Airlines flight with over 100 passengers bound for Kuala Lumpur made an emergency landing at Hyderabad airport in India due to an engine problem.