The former chief pilot of Malaysia Airlines and one-time schoolmate of Flight MH370's captain dismisses media speculation that Zaharie Ahmad Shah possibly hijacked the plane or even committed suicide.

"He is a nice guy, a good guy, never had any problem with anyone," said Nik Huzlan, who went to flight school with Zaharie in 1979. They later joined Malaysia Airlines together.

"He was a good student back in the flight academy, and failed no exam," he said. "He is a normal person. Being normal means he goes out socially, has friends and doesn't fight with people, just like any normal person. I never saw anything unusual in him."