Malaysian jet flown by experienced crew

Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysia Airlines jet that went missing two hours after taking off from Kuala Lumpur on Saturday had an experienced crew at the controls.

According to the Malaysian Airlines statement, Zaharie Ahmad Shah, the captain, has 18,365 hours of flying experience and was working with the airlines since 1981.

His deputy, Fariq Ab. Hamid, has 2,763 hours of flying experience, said the press release. He joined the airline in 2007.

Both the captain and his deputy are Malaysians, according to the statement.