Malaysia Airlines has cancelled flight MH89 from Tokyo's Narita Airport to Kuala Lumpur after a technical problem, according to Malay Mail. The airline confirmed the cancellation on Thursday, 20 August 2026, and stated that everyone onboard was safe.
The incident occurred as the aircraft was preparing to depart, with reports indicating the takeoff was aborted. Japan Wire by Kyodo News described the event as an aborted takeoff at Narita, while malaysiasun.com reported that black smoke was seen near the aircraft's engine, leading to a temporary runway closure. Aviation A2Z identified the aircraft as an Airbus A330.
Malaysia Airlines has not yet detailed the nature of the technical fault or how long passengers will be delayed. The Edge Malaysia confirmed the cancellation and reiterated that all passengers and crew were unharmed, according to its report. The airline's priority appears to be safety, with the flight grounded until the issue is resolved.
This disruption at Narita adds to the operational challenges airlines face with ageing fleets and routine maintenance checks. The runway was reportedly reopened after the incident, but no timeline has been given for when MH89 will be rescheduled.
Passengers on the cancelled flight are advised to monitor Malaysia Airlines' official channels for updates on rebooking and compensation. The airline has not yet announced whether a replacement aircraft will be deployed for the Tokyo-Kuala Lumpur route.
