Singapore Airlines faced backlash for a social media comment announcing that its planes do not fly over conflict-ridden Ukraine.
The comment was posted a day after Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down by a missile in eastern Ukraine, which is overrun by pro-Russian separatists.
"Customers may wish to note that Singapore Airlines flights are not using Ukraine airspace," the airline said in a Facebook post on Friday, according to Channel News Asia. "Our thoughts are with the passengers and crew of MH17, and their families," the airline added in a different post.
But many Malaysians felt the post showed insensitivity for the 298 passengers and crew who perished aboard the ill-fated plane, the Associated Press reported.
"A post starting with condolence (and) then, stating your planes are diverted and not using this airspace anymore would have made (you) sound less heartless!" Joannica Dass wrote on Facebook according to the AP.
"Please Singapore Airlines, have some class but most importantly heart," wrote Natasha Smith, Yahoo! Singapore reported. "A lot of people have sadly died today for no reason...this is in really poor taste."
Singapore Airlines releases a statement Saturday apologizing for the comment.
"We are aware that our Facebook and Twitter update on Friday morning may have come across as insensitive to some," the airline told the AP. "The post was in response to many requests from our customers who had asked for information about our flight routes for their upcoming flights with us.
"We recognize that the information could have been better communicated and we sincerely apologize if it had offended our customers and anyone else in the online community," the airline said.
