AirAsia plane skids at Kuching airport - An AirAsia flight to Kuching skidded off the runway Monday night and landed on the grass verge, leaving...

AirAsia plane skids at Kuching airport
By SHAUN HO

KUALA LUMPUR: An AirAsia flight to Kuching skidded off the runway Monday night and landed on the grass verge, leaving four passengers with minor injuries.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said flight AK5218, an Airbus A320, was carrying 124 passengers and six crew members.

"The plane was landing during a downpour and that is when it skidded," he said Tuesday.

Cranes are used to remove the plane off the runway Tuesday

Kong said the plane had landed on soft soil on the edge of the runway. AirAsia and Kuching International Airport staff are working to remove the plane for checks.

As a result of the incident, services at the airport have been was disrupted, with up to 11 flights to the airport affected.

"I expect services at the airport to resume by noon," he said after opening the National Maritime Conference in Kuala Lumpur.

AirAsia Group Chief Executive Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes tweeted: "Working hard to remove aircraft. All passengers are home."