A Malaysia Airlines flight has been forced to turn back to Melbourne Airport after a passenger attempted to enter the cockpit of the plane.

The airline’s cabin crew, with the help of a passenger, restrained the assailant on board flight MH128 to Kuala Lumpur.

He was then handcuffed and subdued.

The flight landed safely and the passenger was arrested, police said, adding it was not terror-related.

The flight has now been rescheduled to operate as MH128D today.

Passengers are expected to depart Melbourne at 20:00 and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 02:35 local time the next day.

Passengers with critical onward connections have been allocated seats on Malaysia Airlines’ earlier flight, MH148 departing Melbourne at 13:55.

A total of three Malaysia Airlines flights are now scheduled to depart Melbourne today.

Victoria Police chief commissioner Graham Ashton said the suspect was a 25-year-old Sri Lankan man who was released from a Melbourne psychiatric facility earlier on Wednesday.

The Australian Security authorities have screened all baggage and it is being transferred on the respective flights that passengers are rebooked on.

Malaysia Airlines’ technical and cabin crew that operated MH128/31May will not operate on flights until further notice. 
A fresh set of crew will be operating MH128D.

“An investigation led by Australian authorities is currently underway and Malaysia Airlines wishes to extend its appreciation to everyone involved during the emergency situation,” the carrier said in a statement.