Malaysia Airlines passengers in Hong Kong take pragmatic view of events

The few passengers checking in at Malaysia Airlines desks at Chek Lap Kok last night were taking a pragmatic view of events.

"[These events] can happen to every airline," 50-year-old Malaysian resident Justin Loh said. "It may affect the cancellation of flights ... but as time goes by people will forget."

Having been a frequent flyer with the airline for about 20 years, Loh said he was not worried about flying with the airline despite yesterday's disaster and the earlier disappearance of flight MH370.

That's the attitude expected by Robert Bor, a psychologist with Dynamic Change Consultants when asked what might happen after details of the crash emerged.

He said most people would feel an increase in anxiety about flying, but this wouldn't necessarily stop them from flying.

"People know what happened here," Bor said. "Their anxieties are more likely to be allayed."