Malindo Air to review security procedures after vape-on-fire incident

Malindo Air will initiate discussion with the airport authorities to review their security procedures as well as to

develop strategies to prevent a recurrence of electronic cigarette device overheating on board.

The airline in its statement on Monday confirmed that an electronic cigarette overheated on board flight OD 1003 while en-route from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) last Saturday.

It said according to the crew's report, the incident occurred during cruise at 35,000 feet, approximately at 6.02pm mid-journey between Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur.

"When alerted to the incident, the cabin crew took immediate action, as they were trained to, to contain the situation.

"Within minutes, the situation was brought under control and the flight continued its journey to a safe and uneventful landing in klia2 at 7.27pm," the statement said.

It said the cabin crew and a doctor on board also rendered first aid to the passenger who suffered superficial burns to his lower arm and upon landing, the passenger was brought to the klia2 medical centre for further treatment.

The airline said the airport police were alerted of the incident before the flight's arrival and together with Malindo Air's Aviation Security (AvSec) staff, they were able to interview the passenger and an official police report was subsequently filed by Malindo Air.

Malindo Air also reminded its passengers not to carry spare batteries on board, to not connect any portable electronic device to a power source in flight and not to leave any portable electronic device unattended.