AirAsia passengers were left worried when the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Malaysia due to an engine malfunction.

Flight AK-128 departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport heading for Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport on March 26.

However, after two hours into the flight, the pilot decided to return to KLIA Terminal 2 and land safely.

Local media reported that the Airbus A320 landed without incident after two hours of flight. Footage shows passengers waiting to disembark after arriving back at the airport.

Police, ambulances, security, and maintenance personnel were on standby as the aircraft touched down on the runway.

One passenger said: 'Many people were silently crying, and some even applauded when the plane landed.'

All 171 passengers and six crew members were safely disembarked and transferred to another aircraft, which departed after a four-hour delay. The replacement flight arrived in China at 7:51 a.m. on March 27.

AirAsia confirmed that no engine fire occurred. After inspection, it was found that the engine's malfunction was due to a damaged duct, which caused hot air to be released. As a result, the aircraft had to return to the bay for repairs and is expected to be back in service on March 31.

Datuk Captain Chester Voo, Deputy Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group, said: 'There was an abnormal indication in one of the engines, and the flight crew acted swiftly, taking the appropriate actions in line with safety and operational protocols.

'Our pilots and cabin crew are highly trained to manage such situations, and the aircraft landed safely after following the correct procedures. We appreciate the swift response from Malaysia Airports, the Airport Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) team, and relevant safety authorities. We also thank our passengers on flight AK128 for their understanding and patience. A replacement flight was promptly arranged to connect them. Safety is always our top priority, and AirAsia is committed to maintaining the highest safety standards to ensure the well-being of our passengers and crew at all times.'