An airline is investigating a baggage handler who was seen hurling cases down the stairs next to a plane.

Footage shows the female staff member wearing a Cathay Pacific vest and throwing luggage through the steps at an airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The bags then tumbled onto a pile below, risking them being damaged due to impact before she climbed up the stairs again.

A Boeing 777 operated by Cathay Pacific could be seen parked behind the woman.

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific apologised on July 16 and said ‘it was a clear violation of the airline's strict baggage handling protocols'.

However, the airline clarified that the worker was employed by one of their ground-handling service providers and claimed that it had started an investigation.

Meanwhile, the female staff was reportedly reassigned during the probe.

Cathay Pacific is a major airline based in Hong Kong. Founded in 1946, it operates passenger and cargo services to various destinations worldwide.