An AirAsia aircraft from here skidded off the runway as it landed in Kuching during heavy rain last night, slightly injuring four passengers and forcing the closure of the Kuching International Airport.

Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB) said the airport remained closed as at 11am today, and that 24 incoming and outgoing flights had been affected by then.

MAB said the aircraft skidded and veered off the runway upon landing at 10.02pm.

Flight AK5218 of the budget airline had originated from the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in KLIA.

Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha, who spoke to reporters after opening the National Maritime Conference today, said the plane was carrying 124 passengers and six crew and that four passengers were slightly injured and sent for treatment at the Kuching Hospital.

A passenger, Balai Ringin Assemblyman Snowdan Lawan, speaking to reporters in Kuching last night, said the plane veered sharply to the left and right after it touched down and then skidded off the runway onto soft ground.

"I was not sure at which section of the runway it skidded as it was raining and dark. When I alighted from the plane, I noticed that the nose-wheel tyre seemed to have been damaged," he said.

Aircraft needed to be towed away

MAB said work to tow the aircraft away from where it had stalled was being undertaken with the assistance of AirAsia engineers but the heavy rain last night had hampered the effort.

It said only one flight, MH2505 of Malaysia Airlines, was allowed to department from Kuching, at 7.30am today.

Of the 24 affected flights, 11 were operated by AirAsia, eight by Malaysia Airlines and five by MASWings, it said.

MAB advised passengers to contact airline offices to enquire about the status of their flights departing from or arriving at the Kuching airport.  

It said it was working closely with AirAsia and related agencies at the airport to expedite the resumption of flights into and out of Kuching.  

AirAsia in a statement today said that the initial report indicated that visibility was good enough for an approach and landing to be made at the airport.

"The aircraft veered off the runway in Kuching International Airport," AirAsia said in a statement, adding that "the captain managed to bring the aircraft to a safe stop."

AirAsia said it will carry out a full investigation together with the Department of Civil Aviation, Malaysia's aviation watchdog.

- Bernama