SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines (SIA) has apologised for its Facebook and Twitter postings following the crash of a Malaysia Airlines flight on Thursday and admitted that it could have been more sensitive in dealing with the matter.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, a spokesman said on Saturday that the airline was aware the postings "may have come across as insensitive to some".

She added: "We recognise that the information could have been better communicated and we sincerely apologise if it had offended our customers and anyone else in the online community."

Following the crash of MH17 which was apparently shot down while flying over eastern Ukraine, SIA posted a Facebook message to say: "Customers may wish to note that Singapore Airlines flights are not using Ukraine airspace."

It sparked an avalanche of comments from netizens who blasted the carrier for being insensitive. An hour and a half later, SIA put up another posting, this time to say: "Our thoughts are with the passengers and crew of MH17 and their families."

But SIA's first posting continued to attract comments. Even as many netizens condemned the airline, others came out in support of SIA for keeping customers informed.