Retailers have rallied to support Malaysia Airlines following the shooting down of flight MH17 over Ukraine.
Flight Centre issued a circular to almost 1,300 UK consultants saying: “Malaysia Airlines remains a valued partner and we support them…Malaysia Airlines is a government-backed airline and one of the most stable in Asia. We have no concerns about their financial stability.”
Trailfinders and Stella Travel Services also expressed a willingness to support the carrier.
Malaysia Airlines UK regional manager Weng Chi Lee wrote to UK trade partners noting MH17 “was in air space approved by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)” when it was shot down on July 17.
“Its flight plan was approved by the Ukrainian authorities as well as Eurocontrol…and 75 airlines flew the same route in the two days before the incident.”
Airline staff have been devastated by the loss of passengers and colleagues on MH17 – as well as on Malaysia’s flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March – and dismayed by suggested doubts over the carrier’s future.
In fact, Malaysia’s continuing operation is assured by the Malaysian government, which owns almost 70% of the carrier.
Malaysia deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin bin Yassin confirmed the government’s support in a message to staff, saying: “I assure you the government will provide support to ensure our national carrier continues to fly high.”
The carrier also confirmed that, contrary to some reports, a government-led review of the airline’s business was under way before the disaster.
An ICAO meeting on Tuesday sought ways to reduce the risks of flying over war zones.