Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH122 from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur was diverted to Alice Springs Airport, Australia today after facing technical difficulties.

MAS in a statement today said the A330-300 aircraft departed Sydney at 1.06pm and experienced a technical fault on one of its engines and landed safely in Alice Springs Airport at 5.48pm.

"Safety was not at any time compromised and the commanding captain decided to divert the flight for technical assistance," it said.

The statement said the passengers would be transferred from Alice Springs to Kuala Lumpur on flight MH148 tomorrow (Jan 19).

"The flight is scheduled to depart Alice Springs at 5.45pm (local time) and is expected to arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 9.50pm the same day.

"All affected passengers have been given hotel accommodation, meals and transportation," the statement added.

- Bernama