'This is my worst nightmare' - AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes turns to Twitter to update on missing flight QZ8501
The chief executive of Air Asia has turned to Twitter to send a message of thanks and update the watching world after the disappearance of one of the company’s planes, flight QZ8501 to Singapore, earlier today,
Company boss Tony Fernandes has stated that the disapearance was his “worst nightmare” while stating that his priority was to look after the next of kin of both his passengers and staff.
Following news of the disapearance, Fernandes tweeted: “On my way to Surabaya where most of the passangers are from as with my Indonesian management. Providing information as we get it.”
On my way to Surabaya where most of the passangers are from as with my Indonesian management. Providing information as we get it.
— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 28, 2014
He followed this an of hour later to state: “My only thought are with the passangers and my crew. We put our hope in the SAR operation and thank the Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysian governments.”
My only thought are with the passangers and my crew.We put our hope in the SAR operation and ... http://t.co/m95Ei6OnEP — Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 28, 2014
This was followed a few hours later with messages of gratitude: “I am touched by the massive show of support especially from my fellow airlines. This is my worse nightmare. But there is no stopping.”
I am touched by the massive show of support especially from my fellow airlines. This is my worse nightmare. But there is no stopping. — Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 28, 2014
“To all my staff Airasia all stars be strong, continue to be the best. Pray hard. Continue to do your best for all our guests. See u all soon.”
To all my staff Airasia all stars be strong, continue to be the best. Pray hard. Continue to do your best for all our guests. See u all soon — Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 28, 2014
“I as your group ceo will be there through these hard times. We will go through this terrible ordeal together and I will try to see as many of you.”
I as your group ceo will be there through these hard times. We will go through this terrible ordeal together ... http://t.co/6iO2zKcFzN
— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 28, 2014
“Our priority is looking after all the next of Kin for my staff and passangers. We will do whatever we can. We continue to pass information aa it comes.”
Our priority is looking after all the next of Kin for my staff and passangers. We will do whatever we can. ... http://t.co/6BFsUR7zDS — Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 28, 2014
The company sent a tweet in the early hours of this morning to confirm that it lost contact with the flight at 7.24am. That tweet has so far been retweet 47,000 times at the time of writing.
AirAsia Indonesia regrets to confirm that QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore has lost contact at 07:24hrs this morning http://t.co/WomRQuzcPO — AirAsia (@AirAsia) December 28, 2014
The communications strategy is in clear contrast with that of Malaysian officials who were less than forthcoming during the hunt for missing flight MH370 last year.