An emergency incident has unfolded at Sydney Airport as a flight to Malaysia was turned around midair.
Malaysia Airlines flight MH122 left Sydney Airport at 1.40pm and landed back on the runway at 3.47pm on Monday after it turned around while over northwestern NSW, according to Flight Aware.
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The plane remained on the tarmac with passengers stuck on board for more than two hours, blocking one of the airport’s major runways.
7NEWS understands a threat was made on board on Monday afternoon, forcing the plane to turn around.
In an update on Monday night, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said passengers had been evacuated from the aircraft, and a man was taken into custody.
“The man, 45, was arrested by the AFP without incident,” an AFP spokesperson said.
“There is no impending threat to the community. The man is expected to be charged later tonight.
“The AFP will not divulge operational matters, however, an emergency response plan was enacted and an evacuation was initiated once it was deemed safe for passengers and crew.”
Passengers on board the flight took to social media to share details of the emergency, claiming an unruly male passenger was threatening staff and travellers.
Passengers have told 7NEWS the man was acting erratically, and telling those on board he is a ‘slave of Allah’.
However, a passenger later told 7NEWS the man had told the flight crew it was all a joke.
There are believed to have been more than 200 passengers on board, including children.
Some delays are expected at the airport on Monday night.
Passengers have also praised the cabin crew on the Malaysia Airlines flight, saying they have done an incredible job in trying to keep the man calm in the aisles of the aircraft.
In an update, Sydney Airport said it was “supporting emergency agencies in the management of an incident at the airport”.
“The airport is operational with flights arriving and departing,” it said.
“Passengers are encouraged to check directly with their airline regarding the status of their flight.”