Malta International Airport has confirmed that the Air Malta KM 514 flight which was bound for Vienna returned to Malta due to technical difficulties.

The flight landed safely at 8:07am local time, and Malta International Airport's Rescue and Fire-Fighting Team was dispatched to the site immediately. Passengers disembarked the aircraft safely shortly after landing, MIA said.

"Airport operations have not been affected by this emergency landing. An investigation is currently underway. Malta International Airport would like to thank the airport team and all stakeholders for their timely response to this morning's incident."

In a statement, Air Malta confirmed the incident and said that 170 passengers and 7 crew members were onboard at the time.

"All passengers and crew were disembarked safely shortly after landing at 08:07 local time at Malta International Airport," the airline said.

Air Malta said that customers will be provided with hotel  accommodation during the day and a replacement delayed flight will operate at a later timing. Customers booked on KM515 from Vienna to Malta will also be provided with hotel accommodation and a replacement delayed flight at a later timing. The confirmed timings were released later in the day: Malta to  Vienna departure at 9pm Thursday and Vienna to Malta departure at 11.50pm Thursday.

"Safety is Air Malta’s top priority. The airline gives utmost importance to the safety and well-being of its customers and crew and apologises for this disruption caused by circumstances beyond its control," the airline concluded.