The purpose of this statement is to update on emergency response activities at Malaysia Airlines.
On notification of the incident the following steps have been taken:
The EOC
Activation of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in the early morning of March 8. The EOC is the central command and control facility responsible for carrying out emergency management functions at the strategic level during a disaster.
In addition to the EOC, various departments of Malaysia Airlines are also addressing to all the different needs during this crisis.
Family management
Malaysia Airlines is working closely with the government of China to expedite the issuance of passports for the families intending to travel to Malaysia, as well as with the immigration of Malaysia on the issuance of their visas into Malaysia.
Malaysia Airlines is deploying an additional aircraft to bring the families from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur on March 11.
When the aircraft is located, a Response Coordination Centre (RCC) will be established within the vicinity to support the needs of the families. This has been communicated specifically to the families.
Once the Response Coordination Centre is operational, we will provide transport and accommodation to the designated areas for the family members.
Our oneworld partners have been engaged to help bring family members in other countries aside from China into Kuala Lumpur.
Search and rescue
Malaysia Airlines has been actively cooperating with the search and rescue authorities coordinated by the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCA) and the Ministry of Transport.
DCA has confirmed that search and rescue teams from Australia, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, New Zealand and the United States have come forward to assist. We are grateful for these efforts.
We also want to address a few common queries from the media.
We are receiving many queries about how the passengers with the stolen passports purchased their tickets. We are unable to comment on this matter as this is a security issue. We can, however, confirm that we have given all the flight details to the authorities for further investigation.
We also confirm that we are making necessary arrangements for MH370 passengers' families from Beijing to travel to Kuala Lumpur.
However, flight details of the families’ arrival are highly confidential. This is to protect the privacy and well-being of the families during this difficult time and to respect their space. Our position is not to reveal any information on the flight or movements of the families.
Malaysia Airlines' primary focus at this point in time is to care for the families of the passengers and crew of MH370. This means providing them with timely information, travel facilities, accommodation, meals, medical and emotional support. The costs for these are all borne by Malaysia Airlines.
All other Malaysia Airlines’ flights are as per schedule. The safety of our passengers and crew has always been and will continue to be of utmost importance to us.
The airline continues to work with the authorities and we appreciate the help we are receiving from all local and international parties and agencies during this critical and difficult time.
Malaysia Airlines reiterates that it will continue to be transparent in communicating with the general public via the media on all matters affecting MH370. – March 10, 2014.
* Ahmad Jauhari Yahya is the group chief executive officer of Malaysia Airlines.
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