The Kuching International Airport has been closed Tuesday, January 11, 2011 until further notice, a Malaysia Airports Bhd statement said

Kuching airport closed temporarily

Published: Tuesday January 11, 2011 MYT 11:50:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday January 11, 2011 MYT 3:10:44 PM

KUCHING: The Kuching International Airport has been closed Tuesday until further notice, a Malaysia Airports Bhd statement said.

This is becaused of an incident Monday night, when an AirAsia aircraft (flight AK5218 from Kuala Lumpur), skidded and veered off the airport's runway 25, when landing at 10.02 during heavy rain.

All passengers were evacuated safely from the aircraft.

Efforts to remove the aircraft Tuesday were hampered by continuous heavy rains.

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

Only one flight was released for departure from the airport, flight MH2505 to Kuala Lumpur.

All AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines flights from the airport have been effected.

Passengers are advised to contact their airline's offices to enquire about their flight status.