Flight HX640 departed Hong Kong International Airport around 9:30 a.m. and was scheduled to land in Fukuoka at 1:55 p.m. (local time), according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24.

In response to questions from the Post, Hong Kong Airlines said the flight was diverted due to a “technical problem” and apologized for the inconvenience.

“As a precautionary measure, the aircraft landed for a full inspection before continuing its journey,” an airline spokesman said.

The plane landed safely in Taipei at 12.07pm with 13 crew members and 283 passengers on board, he said, adding that local transport and hotel accommodation had been arranged for the passengers.

Return flight HX641 from Fukuoka to Hong Kong will also be delayed.