Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae bows in an apology to the families of the plane crash victims during a press conference in Seoul, Dec. 29. Yonhap

Jeju Air on Sunday said it will spare no effort to cope with a deadly crash of its flight carrying 181 people, with the airline's chief executive saying that its top priority is supporting bereaved families of the victims.

"We extend our deepest condolences and apologies to the passengers who lost their lives in the accident and to their bereaved families," Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae said in a statement.

The statement came after a Jeju Air flight, coming from Bangkok, veered off the runway during landing and collided with a fence at Muan International Airport in Muan County, about 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul.

Except for the two rescued from the accident, all people on board are confirmed dead, firefighting authorities said.

"Currently, the exact cause of the accident has yet to be determined, and we must wait for the official investigation by government agencies," Kim said. "Regardless of the cause, I take full responsibility as the CEO."

In a press briefing later Sunday, Song Kyung-hoon, head of the management support office at Jeju Air, said the company should be able to provide all necessary support to the victims and their families, thanks to its $1 billion insurance plan.

Song added Jeju Air dispatched about 260 employees to Muan to help support the surviving families, while a separate team of investigators will be on the ground to help the transport ministry determine the cause of the crash.

Song claimed the accident should not be attributed to any aircraft defects or a busy flying schedule.

"This crash is not about any maintenance issues. There can be absolutely no compromise when it comes to maintaining aircraft," Song said. "There are areas we have to investigate further by determining the exact cause of the crash. Here at Jeju Air, we prepare for each and every flight thoroughly to ensure safe trips."

Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae, left, speaks to the family members of the Jeju Air plane crash victims at the Muan International Airport in Muan County, South Jeolla Province, Sunday. Yonhap

On suggestions that the plane might have been overworked, Song said, "You can't say the schedule was overwhelming. We follow a predetermined schedule for maintenance checks and we leave no stone unturned when it comes to maintenance work before takeoffs."

Song declined to go into specific discussions of possible causes, saying, "We have submitted all necessary information, including the maintenance log, to the transport ministry, so that it can help them determine the cause."

Of the 175 passengers, two were Thai nationals. Song said Jeju Air had informed the Thai Embassy in Korea of the situation and will offer follow-up support as necessary.

With the Muan airport shut down, Song said travelers initially scheduled to arrive at Muan in the coming days will instead land at other airports, including Incheon International Airport lying just west of Seoul.

"For those who were scheduled to fly with us today and in the coming days, we will help with any itinerary change or cancellation," Song added.

Kim, CEO of Jeju Air, addressed the families of the victims at the Muan airport Sunday evening, and his in-person apology was met with angry reactions.

Kim spent the hours immediately following the crash in his Seoul office and only arrived at the airport around 8 p.m., some 11 hours after the crash.

Chang Young-shin, chairwoman of Aekyung Group, which owns Jeju Air, apologized to the victims and their families, while also offering her condolences.

"It is with a heavy heart that I accept the responsibility for the accident that claimed precious lives," Chang said in a statement. "Both Jeju Air and Aekyung Group will offer full support to ensure a quick recovery from the crash. We will also actively cooperate with an investigation by the relevant authorities and provide whatever support that the families of the victims need." (Yonhap)