Disappearance of AirAsia plane adds to Malaysia's year of flight horrors
Disappearance of an AirAsia plane becomes the third crises involving one of the country's carriers this year, with another aircraft still missing
AirAsia has never lost a plane before and has a good safety track record.
But the airline, which has a presence in most of Southeast Asia and recently India, was last night coming to terms with becoming the third air crisis this year involving Malaysia, where the budget carrier is based. Two other incidents involved Malaysia Airlines.
The tragic dramas surrounding AirAsia and its competitor Malaysia Airlines played out before unprecedented global television and internet audiences, confronting the travelling public with the startling truth that planes can be shot down or disappear and not be found despite all the resources available.
Tony Fernandes, who is the face of AirAsia and an active Twitter user, sent out a tweet yesterday saying: "Thank you for all your thoughts and prays. We must stay strong."