Lufthansa, the parent company of budget airline Germanwings, says it is still wrapping its head around the crash of a ‘technically flawless airplane’.
Yesterday, one of the low-cost carrier’s A320 aircraft crashed into the French Alps, killing all 150 passengers onboard.
Flight 4U9525 was flying from Barcelona to Dusseldorf when it fell from the sky near Digne-les-Bains. Read on
Although original reports indicated safety was at fault, Lufthansa’s CEO Carsten Spohr has recorded a video message ensuring guests that this was not the case.
In the video above, he says the company was shocked to hear and see the plane crash, despite their continuous efforts in aircraft safety.
“Visiting the crash site I was once again in a shocking moment and made away that of something we at Lufthansa know so well now, that safety and aviation is not always a given.”
Carsten Spohr, Lufthansa CEO
He stressed that the company has always placed safety as a top priority and would work even harder to ensure it remains a ‘top target’.
On Twitter, the airline also shared its disbelief:
“We cannot comprehend how a technically flawless airplane steered by two experienced pilots… 2/5
— Lufthansa (@lufthansa) March 25, 2015
“…could encounter such a situation at cruising altitude. All of us at Lufthansa are working to ensure..” 3/5 — Lufthansa (@lufthansa) March 25, 2015
that such an incident will never occur again.We cannot believe that this has happened. We are doing everything to support the families.” 4/5 — Lufthansa (@lufthansa) March 25, 2015
Investigators have already started to go through to contents of the black box cockpit to determine the cause of the accident.
They say they’re puzzled because crew did not send out a mayday or distress call when the plane rapidly lost altitude for eight minutes.
They are also questioning why the pilot did not change course to avoid hitting the rocky area at 700 kilometres per hour.
Meanwhile, the airline is offering two special flights to Barcelona where they can ‘grieve on site’.
According to AFP, passenger remains are being airlifted from the mountainside.
Lufthansa and Germanwings have also started a new hastag #indeepsorrow to express sympathy towards the victims and families.
Travellers have quickly adopted the hashtag on Twitter to show their support for air travel and both airlines.
Amazing what @lufthansa @germanwings is doing for all relatives and friends of all occupants on #4U9525 #indeepsorrow #verynicegesture
— Thadde (@ThaddeJW) March 25, 2015
No matter what color the uniform – we are all one family. #germanwings #lufthansa #unitedwestand #onefamily #4u9525 #indeepsorrow
— Alexandra (@LexiK1288) March 25, 2015
#indeepsorrow My thoughts are with all victims & their families of flight #4U9525 & my friends at @Lufthansa and @germanwings #unitedbywings
— Florian Schultz (@FlorianSchultz2) March 25, 2015
Featured image: Boston Globe