In a news conference, CEO Tony Fernandes apologizes to the families of victims of the lost AirAsia flight. Fernandes responds to questions about the cause and compensation generally, but promises not to "run away from our obligations or hide behind any conventions. We will be there for the staff. . . [correction] for the families, even after all of this is over." 

The Washington Post describes Fernandes as "a flamboyant Malaysian-born, British-educated former Warner Music executive, [who] had dreamed of operating his own budget airline since he was in school." He describes the lost flight as a "scar with me for the rest of my life."

The airline is suffering further embarrassment because of an in-flight magazine ad that bragged about the pilots' superior training: "well prepared to ensure [their] plane will never get lost." The article was published soon after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Discussion Starters: 

• Assess the news conference. How well did Fernandes handle the questions? 
• At some point, he says that having families where they are trying to evacuate will "complicate" the process. What's your view of this statement?