CHICAGO: The CEO of embattled United Airlines unequivocally apologised Tuesday for an incident in which a passenger was dragged off a plane, promising a thorough review of the airline`s practices.

The apology came amid a torrent of criticism of the carrier`s actions on a Sunday flight and its initial explanations. In images now seen worldwide, a passenger was forcefully removed and bloodiedintheprocess-the entire event captured on video by passengers and posted on social media.

Passenger David Dao, 69, had refused to be `bumped` from the overbooked flight, an airline practice that has now come under scrutiny.

`I continue to be disturbed by what happened... and I deeply apologise to the customer forcibly removed and to all the customers aboard, CEO Oscar Munoz said. `We take full responsibility and we will work to make it right.

The comments were in stark contrast to the company`s initial response, in which it seemed to at least partially blame the passenger, inflaming worldwide outrage.-AFP