Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH128 has been re-designated to operate as MH128D and will depart from Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport at 8pm local time (6pm Malaysian time) today.

MH128 re-designated as MH128D; to depart Melbourne at 6pm M'sia time

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH128 has been re-designated to operate as MH128D and will depart from Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport at 8pm local time (6pm Malaysian time) today.

The flight is expected to arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 2.35am tomorrow.

In a statement, MAS said passengers with critical onward connections were allocated seats on earlier flight MH148, which departed Melbourne at 1.55pm local time.

"(Remaining) passengers have been sent to local hotels in Melbourne and will be departing to Kuala Lumpur today.

"Malaysia Airlines’ technical and cabin crew which operated MH128 last night will not operate on flights until further notice. A fresh set of crew will be operating MH128D.

"A total of three Malaysia Airlines flights are now scheduled to depart Melbourne today," the statement said.

MAS said an investigation led by Australian authorities is currently underway and it expressed its appreciation to everyone involved during the emergency situation.

"The Australian Security authorities screened all baggage, and they are being transferred to the respective flights that passengers are rebooked on," MAS added.

MH128 was forced to turn back to Melbourne due to a disruptive passenger who claimed to have a bomb just minutes after take-off.

The airline’s cabin crew, with the help of several passengers, managed to restrain the man, who was immediately handcuffed and subdued.

It has been reported that the Sri Lankan man, who tried to enter the cockpit, was released from a psychiatric facility merely hours before the flight.

He is likely to be charged at court today.