Malaysia airline families hit hard by twin tragedies

World Today

With the tragic losses of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and the disappearance of flight MH370, the airline is struggling. More importantly, it has taken a toll on the airline’s staff. Many have lost friends and in some cases loved ones on the two flights. CCTV’s Rian Maelzer reports from Kuala Lumpur.

Airline families hit hard by twin tragedies

With the tragic loss of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and the disappearance of flight MH370, the airline is struggling. More importantly, it has taken a toll on the airline's staff. Many have lost friends and in some cases loved ones on the two flights. CCTV's Rian Maelzer reports from Kuala Lumpur.

The national airline of Malaysia is grappling with something no other airline has had to deal with since the 9/11 attacks: two astonishing aviation tragedies back to back. And the dual disasters are raising questions about whether the carrier, already in deep financial trouble, can survive the hit to its brand from an exodus of passengers.

Intan Maizura was seven months pregnant with her second child when flight MH370 vanished. Her husband was a steward on that flight. Intan is a Malaysia Airlines flight attendant, so the loss of flight MH17 with all lives on board has been a new, and double blow to her. After MH370 disappeared, Intan says her Malaysia Airlines colleagues were quick to come to her support. The families of the crew members have rallied together and are also reaching out to the relatives and friends of those on board MH17.

On top of struggling to cope with the loss of their friends and colleagues, Malaysia Airlines staff are also having to face an uncertain future. The airline had deep financial troubles even before this latest catastrophe.

The latest tragedy is set to add to the financial woes of the carrier, which is already in bad shape having reported a loss of $138 million in the January to March period — its worst quarter in over two years.

The Prime Minister of Malaysia called the crude and undignified manner in which the remains are being handled as “unacceptable.” Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs is traveling to Ukraine to discuss the situation with President Petro Poroshenko. CCTV’s Andy Saputra reports from Kuala Lumpur with more on the growing outrage.

Outrage in Malaysia on downing of MH17

The Prime Minister of Malaysia is calling the crude and undignified manner in which the remains are being handled -- unacceptable. Malaysia's Minister of Foreign Affairs is now traveling to Ukraine to discuss the situation with President Petro Poroshenko. CCTV's Andy Saputra reports from Kuala Lumpur with more on the growing outrage.