Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Airlines today clarified the misunderstanding caused by a tweet from Flightradar24 on Malaysia Airlines' flight MH004 from Kuala Lumpur to London that flew over Syrian airspace on July 20 at 1:20 pm local time.

"MH004's flight plan is in accordance to International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) approved routes. As per the notice to airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, the Syrian airspace was not subject to restrictions. At all times, MH004 was in airspace approved by ICAO,” the airlines authority stated.

Malaysia Airlines maintained that safety of its passengers and crew is of utmost priority. "In recent days, we have been working behind the scenes to establish contact with those in charge of the MH17 crash site."

"That contact has now been made. Under difficult and fluid circumstances, we have been discussing the problems that have occupied us all: securing vital evidence from the aircraft, launching an independent investigation, and above all recovering the remains of those who lost their lives," they added.