KOLKATA: A Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur carrying 159 passengers was delayed while approaching Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata after the pilot was reportedly distracted by a laser beam, airport sources said on Sunday.Flight MH-184 was scheduled to land at 11.20 pm on Saturday, according to news agency PTI.However, when the aircraft was around eight nautical miles from the runway, the pilot reportedly noticed a bright laser beam flashing towards the cockpit from the Madhyamgram-Barasat side, the sources said.The laser reportedly affected the pilot’s vision and momentarily disoriented him. As a result, the aircraft could not land at the scheduled time and had to circle in the sky before making another approach.The flight eventually landed safely at around 11.25 pm. All passengers and crew members were reported safe, the sources said.Following the incident, the airline informed airport authorities. Kolkata airport authorities also lodged a complaint with the NSCBI Airport Police Station, the sources said.According to news agency PTI, Kolkata airport director Vikram Singh said the use of laser lights around the airport is prohibited, but such incidents occur occasionally and can potentially affect aircraft operations.He said the matter has been brought to the notice of police authorities, who are investigating the case.Pilots have complained about laser beams affecting their vision during take-off and landing on earlier occasions as well.During the 2025 Durga Puja festival, laser lights used near the Sreebhumi Sporting Club pandal reportedly caused concern among pilots, following which the laser show was stopped.Intense laser beams can temporarily impair a pilot’s vision, causing distraction and even temporary blindness-like effects. Such incidents pose a risk during the critical stages of take-off and landing, the sources said.
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