According to Flightradar24, MH66 was expected to depart at 11.30pm but only took off at about 12.01am.

The website showed that the flight was diverted back to Kuala Lumpur.

FMT has reached out to Malaysia Airlines for comment.

It was the latest of several flight delays and diversions involving the airline in the past few weeks.

About two weeks ago, Malaysia Airlines flight MH128 from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur was forced to make a diversion to Alice Springs following mid-air engine problems.

Australia’s SBS News reported that MH128 departed from Melbourne at about 11.20pm on Aug 19 but had to be diverted to Alice Springs Airport early the next morning.

Three Malaysia Airlines flights had also made emergency landings earlier.

On Aug 4, a Malaysia Airlines flight with 259 pilgrims bound for Jeddah returned to KLIA because of 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 more than 100 passengers bound for Kuala Lumpur made an emergency landing at Hyderabad airport in India because of an engine problem.

Last Wednesday, FMT reported that the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia had reduced the validity of Malaysia Airlines’ air operator certificate from three years to one year following the national carrier’s operational difficulties.

On Thursday, the airline’s parent body, Malaysia Aviation Group, said it was supposed to receive 17 new aircraft this year from manufacturers but only four had been delivered so far.

MAG managing director Izham Ismail said this had partly affected its operations.

He also said global shortages led to spare parts production delays, which in turn led to longer turnarounds for the repair and overhaul of plane engines.

Earlier, MAG announced that it was reducing its flights and routes between now and December.

It said this comes in response to the recent disruptions in its services, which affected Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and Amal services.