Pilot disoriented by laser beam, Kolkata-bound flight circles mid-air before landing

A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 159 passengers from Kuala Lumpur was delayed in landing at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata due to a disorienting laser beam incident, according to airport officials. Scheduled to touch down at 11:20 pm on Saturday, the aircraft was about eight nautical miles from the runway when the pilot observed a bright laser beam directed at the cockpit from the Madhyamgram-Barasat area, causing temporary confusion and prompting the plane to circle mid-air before safely landing at 11:25 pm.

All passengers and crew were reported safe. The airline notified the airport authorities after the incident, and the Kolkata airport then reported the event to the NSCBI Airport Police Station. While laser light usage near the airport is prohibited, such occurrences are not uncommon and can impact flight operations. An airport official noted that there is an existing police order against laser lights, yet no major delay occurred this time, but the incident was still reported to the police.