United Airlines's chief executive has issued an apology after a passenger was forcibly dragged from a flight.
Chief executive Oscar Munoz said: "The truly horrific event that occurred on this flight has elicited many responses from all of us: outrage, anger, disappointment.
"I share all of those sentiments and one above all: my deepest apologies for what happened."
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Footage of Dr David Dao, 69, being pulled from his seat and dragged screaming down the aisle of a United Airlines plane went viral this week.
Munoz had initially defended his staff's actions and described Dao as "disruptive and belligerent".
However, he issued two follow-up statements yesterday, as United Airlines' stock price tumbled. Around $1bn (£800m) was wiped off the value of the company.
Dao was already on board the fully booked flight from Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky, when passengers were asked to give up their seats to make space for four airline employees who were needed in Louisville the next day.
After incentives of up to $800 (£640) failed to convince anyone to leave, the airline said the computer would choose which passengers would go.
Three agreed to leave their seats but Dao refused, telling flight attendants he could not afford to be rebooked because he had patients to see the next day. He was then forced from the plane by law enforcement.
