Flight carrying MH17 remains was given a 'special passage' - captain

It was a journey that will never be forgotten.

For Malaysia Airlines' Captain Datuk Missman Leham -- who commanded the specially chartered MAS flight MH6129 carrying the remains of MH7 tragedy victims -- the honour of bringing home the remains was extended with the accordance of 'special passage’ by the respective countries while flying back to Malaysia on Friday.

The veteran pilot said the countries controlling the airspace along the flight path from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur gave their utmost cooperation to ensure a smooth journey home for the victims.

He said that it is a must for each aircraft to report its position and seek permission before entering the airspace of foreign countries. Most of the countries had given permission way before the flight approached their respective airspaces.

“The journey was very different this time – I think they did so as a sign of respect -- as they are also saddened by the tragedy.

MAS flight MH6129 bearing the registration 9M-MPS carrying the 20 remains left Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam at 9.40pm on Thursday and safely landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang at approximately 9.54am, minutes before the national honours proceedings kicked off.

For example, Iran usually asked for our entry number, said Missman, adding that "for this flight, Iran granted us permission to enter long before we approached their airspace,” when met during the ceremonial honours for the two bodies of flight MH17 victims at the Bunga Raya Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Sunday.

For Missman, along with co-captains Bakri Othman and Za’im Khalid and first officer Yap Yoon Kong, it was with heavy grief and pride to be given the responsibility to fly flight MH6129 that carried the remains of fellow countrymen and colleagues who perished on the ill-fated flight MH17 on July 17. Many of them, said Missman were close friends.

“MAS chose me to captain this flight because they wanted a senior pilot. I am honoured to be of service and to pay my final respects to my fallen colleagues.”

He stated that the journey was emotionally overwhelming but the team kept their feelings in check to carry out the important task of bringing the victims home to their families.

“As soon as I entered the plane, I was overcome with grief reminiscing my friends who perished in the tragedy and the sorrow that their families had to go through.

The only thing I can do was to pray for them and offer my recital of Al-Fatihah. I thanked God as soon as we landed safely, as they will soon be reunited with their families," he concluded.