‘My heart is filled with sadness’ AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes offers condolences on Twitter
AirAisia chief executive Tony Fernandes has taken to Twitter to express his distress and offer condolences to families after possible debris of its missing plane were spotted at sea.
The missing AirAsia Flight QZ8501, carrying 162 people from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore, disappeared on Sunday (28 December).
Fernandes and the airline have been releasing updates on the progress made in the search via their respective Twitter feeds.
Now the some 30 ships and 15 aircraft reported to be involved in the search operation for the plane, have spotted objects which could belong to the plane in the Java sea, according to reports.
This morning Fernandes tweeted: “My heart is filled with sadness for all the families involved in QZ 8501. On behalf of AirAsia my condolences to all. Words cannot express how sorry I am.”
My heart is filled with sadness for all the families involved in QZ 8501. On behalf of AirAsia my condolences ... http://t.co/OJGobL93cR — Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 30, 2014Minutes later he tweeted that he was making his way to Surabaya, where the airline would be pulling out all the stops to provide aid.
I am rushing to Surabaya. Whatever we can do at Airasia we will be doing.
— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 30, 2014
Yesterday he tweeted about the support he had received from the families of his own crew and their support for the airline.
The relatives of my crew were inspirational and so moving. Their support and love for Airasia was unbelievable. Gave me huge strength. — Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 29, 2014Been one of my toughest days. Spent a large part of day meeting families of passangers. Doing whatever we can.
— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 29, 2014
An Indonesian official has reportedly said that the debris found so far, which include a passenger and cargo door, are 95 per cent likely to be from the missing plane.
The communications strategy contrasts that of Malaysian officials who were less than forthcoming during the hunt for missing flight MH370 last year.