A forgetful Saudi mother has caused a flight emergency in Saudi Arabia after she left her baby at the terminal.

The Saudia flight from Jeddah was on its way to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, when the woman realized she was missing her child and alerted the cabin crew.

The pilot then had to request permission to return to Jeddah from baffled air traffic controllers.

A video of the exchange has been posted on YouTube.

At one stage the pilot said: "We told you, a passenger left her baby in the terminal and refuses to continue the flight."

"Ok, head back to the gate", said the controller, adding "this is totally a new one for us!"