[LetsFlyNow]

This is terribly shocking, tragic and very scary. It’s terrible how the situation regarding Ukraine/Russia has excalated to this.

Just days ago after hearing about military planes being shot down there i shuddered at the thought of this happening to a passenger plane.
A really bad year for Malaysia Airlines.

Good thoughts and prayers to the families of the survivors.

[peter19]

Very tragic news. This is terrible indeed and thoughts go out to all involved. A shame also for MH who haven’t had the best time of late.

It Brings it all closer to home and when i stayed in DXB flew over many unstable countries regulary without much thought about it at the time…

[superchris]

Putin hang your head in shame.

[HongKongLady]

Totally unacceptable to be routing a plane over a WAR ZONE, if this is what happened. Stupid to be playing with people’s lives. I and I am sure fellow forum posters all of whom are very frequent fliers will be shocked that this type of route would be used.

[BA319131]

Airlines are re-routing to avoid this airspace.

[HongKongLady]

Ridiculous that they were using them in the first place.

[MrMichael]

I imagine a race is going on now to get the black boxes, I can see whoever is responsible not owning up anytime soon. If it is the Russian backed rebels as the Ukranian Government are saying then Putin is going to do all he can to prevent any proof of that coming out. I fear this could lead to a major escalation in the troubles in that area.

Absolutely disgraceful whoever did it, thoughts with the families of the deceased and with Malaysian, they could really have done without this.

A sad sad day.

[Edski777]

Eurocontrol has closed the airspace over Eastern Ukraine after this unfortunate incident. Flight plans through this airspace will be rejected.
All airlines will have to reroute their flights.

US Intelligence Agencies reported, according to the Wall Street Journal, that the plane was downed by a Surface to Air missile. The firing location is yet unknown or at least not publicised.

The system that was probably used to shoot down this airliner was most likely Russian made and according to Dutch defense specialists not that easy to operate. Specialists are required to operate these kind of high altitude defense systems as they consist of multiple units and are highly complicated. Your regular conscript or rebel would not be able to operate this.

Putin has already tried to blame Ukraine stating that “if the Ukraine government had not started an offensive against the rebels this would never have happened”. No word about Russia supplying high tech weapons and fueling local unrest in Eastern Ukraine.

The UN security council will be holding and emergency meeting and will probably condemn the shooting and announce measures against the culprits.

Amongst the 295 people killed are 154 Dutch citizens, 27 Australians, 23 Malaysians and 6 UK people.

A sad day for the aviation industry, flight safety, but above all the families and friends of those that fell victim to this crime.

Tomorrow the Netherlands will mourn the dead and the national flag will be at half mast.

Let’s make sure those responsible will be brought to justice.

[Gin&Tonic]

Do you remember the loss of a Korean Airlines 747 shot down by Russia?
I don’t recall much punishment from the international community to that.

If proven the international community must now act ! We cannot live like this any longer it’s simply beyond comprehension.

[LuganoPirate]

My thoughts are also with the deceased families. It must have been terryfying for the passengers on board and I an think of nothing worse.

I’d like to go one further in branding Eurocontrol irresponsible, if not, in my opinion, criminally negligent, in allowing this air corridor to remain open. More needless deaths and so unfortunate it was MH, though equally it could have been any other airline. There but for the grace of God go I!

Airlines were (are) re-routed round Syria and I think they should also be re-routed round parts of Iraq as well. This is always my greatest fear, being hit by a missile and unfortunately they are not hard to get nor are unscrupulous people hard to find that will sell them.

[LuganoPirate]

Gin&Tonic.

+1

[MartynSinclair]

I cant help but ask.

Less than a week ago, our friendly American cousins decided to implement or rather tell the world to implement additional security measure due to an imminent threat.

One week later an B777 from MH is shot down over Russia.

Is there a connection or just sad and tragic coincidence?

Same coincidence that sees MH lose 2 x 777 in a 4 month timeframe…?

Apologies if this is a discussion that’s a little too early, but I cant help but ask….

[MarcusUK]

I agree with you all, but this is especially another tragedy for Malaysia Airlines. Their crews and families must have felt awful today and the Airline a good solid well established one over many years.

I heard from Schiphol that the security and KLm departing ground crew who prepared for that flight are to be supported also.
Must be awful to remember someone see them off, and a few hrs these event happen.

Of course to all the families crews and passengers and countries affected, especially The Dutch. Not so long ago MH ran old 747’s and i flew a few times that route, though this was a 772, carrying less passengers.

There is a major problem in The Middle East, routing aircraft, as so many flight zones are affected by war, and it would be difficult to twist and turn around where this could again become a repeat event.

Sadly with even the thoughts of where is safe to travel through or to, via or near these days, the same consideration must be given to safe stabilised and carefully monitored flight paths.

Other airlines that proceeded this one were from Emirates A380, and Etihad also, it could have been any one as they were just minutes apart!

I am sure all BT travellers thoughts are with all affected in this tragedy, but this international crime.

[SimonS1]

Indeed there are still many lawless parts of the world.

Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, Somalia, Syria all come to mind, not to mention recent ‘disagreements’ in the China/Vietnam/Philippines borders.

A really ghastly incident and thoughts go out to those who have lost families or friends.

[DavidGordon10]

Following G&T’s comment at 21.36, we should also remember Iran Air flight 655, shot down by missiles from a US Navy warship. One can repeat the comment “I don’t recall much punishment from the international community to that”.

The real lesson is that systems to protect civilian aviation from military action clearly do not work well enough.

[Author]

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