AirAsia boss is ‘super proud’ of pilot who told passengers to pray during plane drama

A PILOT who urged passengers to pray for their survival after an engine failure on a flight from Perth, has won lavish praise from his boss.

Air Asia boss Tony Fernandez said he is proud of his pilot who told passengers to pray during a midair emergency. Picture: Supplied

AIRASIA boss Tony Fernandes has lavished heartfelt praise on the pilot and crew of D7237 after the midair drama off Western Australia.

Despite widespread condemnation of the captain for telling passengers to pray for their survival when an engine malfunctioned and the A330 began shaking severely, Fernandes said he was “super proud of Captain Ibrahim”.

Super proud of all my crew led by Captain Ibrahim. And first officer Vincent and Purser... https://t.co/Wg3x33DL0S pic.twitter.com/JTkaOh41aR

— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) June 27, 2017

AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes. Picture: Craig Wilson

“AirAsia don’t make engines and all airlines have engine failures. But when it does happen it takes great pilots and great leadership in times of crisis. I’m beaming with pride,” Mr Fernandes declared in a Facebook post liked by 14,000 people.

“From videos you can see all guests calm, and from the many emails and whatsapp I got, the Captain’s announcements kept everyone calm.”

Mr Fernandes went on to say that “if it was a full service airline the pilot would have been a hero”.

“But because it’s a low cost carrier, press and so called experts make wild accusations and forget the heroics of our crew,” he said.

“I want to thank the many Australians who have praised AirAsia for all we have done despite all the adverse press.”

The missing blade in engine one of AirAsia X flight 380. Picture: AvHerald.com

The Australian and International Pilots’ Association vice-president, Shane Loney said on Monday the AirAsia X captain “could’ve worded things differently”.

“We don’t usually invite our passengers to pray,” said Mr Loney, a Qantas A380 pilot.

“We know the aeroplanes are well built and reliable pieces of kit.”

He said there would be plenty of pilots looking at the AirAsia X incident and looking at how they might handle themselves in a similar incident.

“If we’re in a position like that in the future we might handle it a little better as a result of this incident,” Mr Loney said.

Other pilots took to online forums and websites to question Captain Ibrahim’s training.

“Sounds like the Captain should attend a course in how to calm passengers. Prompting them to pray is obviously not the best idea!” wrote Airbus Fan on AvHerald.com.

“I would never tell my passengers/crew that I am scared and to pray,” wrote Captain Crunch on the same site.

“I am not saying that this pilot was wrong for doing so, but I am simply saying I would never do that.”

AirAsia X is enjoying strong growth on its Australian routes. Picture: Supplied

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The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and AirAsia X are investigating the incident, described as an “engine malfunction”.

Other aviation experts suggested the problems occurred due to a blade ingestion, on the basis of photographs showing a fan blade missing.

Manufacturer of the Trent 772 engine, Rolls Royce is providing assistance to the ATSB and AirAsia X.

It is not yet known when the A330 will return to service.

AirAsia X recorded 35 per cent growth in passengers on Australian services last year, to 1.45 million people.