Jason Biggs apologises for 'insensitive' Malaysian Airlines joke

Los Angeles - Jason Biggs has apologised for making an "insensitive and ill-timed" joke about Malaysian Airlines.

The Orange Is The New Black actor sparked outrage when he wrote on Twitter, "Anyone wanna buy my Malaysian Airlines frequent flier miles?" shortly after news broke that a commercial plane carrying 295 passengers was shot down by a missile over the Ukraine.

The 36-year-old star initially defended himself, saying he was merely a believer of the idea that laughter is the best medicine, after being inundated with abuse from his followers.

But soon afterwards he deleted the original post and tweeted: "Hey all- ok, so- I am deleting my previous tweets. People were offended, and that was not my intent. Sorry to those of you that were.

1). Hey all- ok, so- I am deleting my previous tweets. People were offended, and that was not my intent. Sorry to those of you that were.

— Jason Biggs (@JasonBiggs) July 17, 2014

"This is obviously a horrible tragedy, and everyone-including myself- is sad and angry about it. Sending positive thoughts to the victims and their families."

2). This is obviously a horrible tragedy, and everyone-including myself- is sad and angry about it. Sending positive thoughts to the

— Jason Biggs (@JasonBiggs) July 17, 2014

The former American Pie star added: "P.S. No one is making me send these tweets- I simply understand that my comments might have come off as insensitive and ill-timed. For that, I apologise."

3). victims and their families. P.S. No one is making me send these tweets- I simply understand that my comments might have come off

— Jason Biggs (@JasonBiggs) July 17, 2014

4). as insensitive and ill-timed. For that, I apologize.

— Jason Biggs (@JasonBiggs) July 17, 2014

This isn't the first time the actor has caused controversy online.

He was previously criticised for the posting the following tweet after The Bachelorette contestant Eric Hill died in an accident earlier this year: "Crazy rule change - instead of voting off the contestants, this season #TheBachelorette gets to kill them off."