MH17: The plane was flying over non-restricted aerospace - IATA
A picture taken on July 17, 2014 shows the wreckages of the malaysian airliner carrying 295 people from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur after it crashed, near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine. - AFP PHOTO/DOMINIQUE FAGET
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 which was reported to have crashed in Ukraine was believed to be flying over non-restricted airspace.
In a statement from Geneva, the trade association of airlines said: "Based on the information currently available, it is believed that the airspace that the aircraft was traversing was not subject to restrictions.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the passengers and crew of MH17," it said.
Foreign media reported earlier that a Malaysian passenger Boeing 777 airliner with 295 people on board crashed in Ukraine near the Russian border.
Flight MH17 departed Amsterdam at 12.15pm (Amsterdam local time) and was estimated to arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 6.10 am (Malaysia local time) the next day.
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