AirAsia has withdrawn its in-flight magazine Travel 3Sixty after a passenger caused a stir on Twitter over the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH 370.
The magazine had a section that explained how the airline’s pilots were well trained to ensure that a plane will never get lost.
The picture of the page was shared on Twitter by many users citing reference to the incident of MH 370 flight, an action which ultimately caught the attention of AirAsia management.
The airline acted immediately, issued an apology and removed the in-flight magazine from all of AirAsia flights.
CEO of AirAsia, Tony Fernandes, clarified on Twitter that the article was written months ago and the magazine was printed before the incident of MH 370.
AirAsia executive chairman and publisher of Travel 3Sixty magazine, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, clarified that the section was a monthly column on aviation written by Capt Lim Khoy Hing, a retired pilot who formally worked with AirAsia as well as Malaysia Airlines.
Meranun added:
“With deep regret and remorse I would like to sincerely apologize for any offense caused by the Pilot’s Perspective article in the latest issue of Travel 3Sixty magazine.
“We’ve addressed the issue and have improved our editorial approval process to ensure this does not happen in the future and ensure that all content in the magazine is consistent with our brand values. A disciplinary action will be taken to the editorial team as well.
“This is a truly difficult time for the nation and words cannot describe how I personally feel of this incident. It truly saddens me that this article was released at such an inopportune moment.”
Recently, few of China online travel agents suspended bookings for Malaysian Airlines following the MH 370 incident.
Related read:
Flight MH 370 – Malaysia Airlines and its social media strategy – here.
NB: AirAsia image via Shutterstock.