In a statement, the ministry said that the plane in question was a civilian flight from the Republic of Maldives to Singapore.

“It is confirmed that the civil aircraft had followed a commercial flight path, as used by any civil aircraft overflying Malaysian airspace, according to rules stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“There were no abnormal flight patterns or loitering done within Malaysian airspace by the said aircraft.

“Malaysian aviation authorities have determined that the aircraft had not returned to Malaysian airspace after arriving at its intended destination in Singapore.”

It stated that all approvals for overflights are granted on the basis that the aircraft does not pose a reasonable threat to Malaysia’s safety or sovereignty.

“The approval for overflight granted to the civilian Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registered to Israel Aerospace Industries-Elta (IAI-Elta), strictly does not allow for landing or loitering over Malaysia airspace.”