MELAKA: The Melaka International Airport (LTAM) in Batu Berendam grounded an AirAsia flight to Penang, following an apparent failure to the navigation system at the airport’s air traffic control tower.

The flight code AK6285 was supposed to depart the airport at about 2.50pm on Wednesday (July 3).

It is learnt that AirAsia had sent buses to transport the stranded passengers to KL International Airport to put them onboard Penang-bound flights.

Some of the passengers continued to extend their stay here due to the situation.

Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari said the state had referred the matter to the Civil Aviation Department (DCA).

“It is an isolated incident and we are working closely with DCA on the glitch,” he said when contacted on Wednesday.

Daily AirAsia flights between Penang and Melaka began on July 1.