MAS: Block website, spoof report on 'emergency landing' not funny

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has urged authorities to block a parody website.

The reason: The website www.worldnewsdailyreport.com had published a satirical article on Monday (Sept 15) that one of the carrier’s planes was forced to make an emergency landing after flying over an Icelandic volcano.

The Malay Mail reported that the national carrier, which suffered two plane crashes this year, derided the article as “irresponsible”.

“Given recent tragedies, and despite the suffering of all, we believe that such stories only serve one purpose, that is to fuel conjecture, misunderstanding and instill fear amongst the travelling public,” MAS said in a statement.

The airline said it did not fly to New York or any US destinations from Europe - the article  titled “Malaysia Airline flight forced into emergency landing after flying over Icelandic volcano” claimed that Flight MH131 was flying from Paris to New York with 171 passengers and 11 crew members on board.

World News Daily Report is a political satire web publication.

It states on its website that all its news articles are “fiction” and “presumably fake news”.

The website carries satirical articles like “Scotland: Nessie sighting brings surge of enthusiasm in favor of Scottish independence” and “Husband tricks mother-in-law into pool full of piranhas".

Sources: Malay Mail, World News Daily Report