The publisher of Air China's in-flight magazine Wings of China on Friday issued an official apology for publishing a controversial article earlier this week that caused a huge furor across the world.

A 'Letter of Apology' from Wings of China's publisher, Air China Media Group, confessed that the article caused a "huge misunderstanding," the Telegraph reported. 

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"(It) created a huge negative influence on the operation, image and reputation of Air China. We express our deep apology for this," the letter said.  

An article titled "Tips from Air China" that was published in the Wings of China magazine warned visitors to London from traveling to areas that are dominated by ethnic minorities like Indians, Pakistanis, and black people.    

The article was deemed by many as racially offensive and encouraging discrimination. The controversial article came to notice after a local Chinese journalist, Haze Fan, tweeted a screen shot of it to London Mayor Sadiq Khan, asking for his opinion.     

The tweet led to a flurry of angry response from London citizens including local MPs (Member of Parliament) representing the city's minority communities.     

Meanwhile, Air China has distanced itself from the controversial article. The airline said that it offers hordes of magazines on its flights, and the article that they publish are not "Air China's opinion."

Air China revealed that it has withdrawn the Wings of China magazine from all its flights after the controversial article was brought to its management's notice. The airline also urged the publishing house to learn lessons from this fiasco and avoid a similar controversy from happening again.   

TagsAir China Magazine, Air China, china, Racism in China