Charlie Johnson, who was flying to London, would have been located in the airport with many of the passengers who were on board the Malaysian Airlines plane which was tragically shot down over Ukraine.

Ms Johnson took to Facebook this morning to talk about the tragedy.

"My brother left Amsterdam airport one hour before Malaysia Airlines Plane MH17," she said.

"He was at the airport with the 295 people who are now dead after being shot down by a ground-to-air missile.

"It's a smaller world than ever and international conflict affects us all.

"In such a globalised world, we are silly to think we are not involved.

"Today I'm grateful for my brother and his safety as well as that of my whole family and I send out my heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends those lost."

The Courier has attempted to contact Mr Johnson.