Singapore Airlines has provided financial compensation to passengers injured during severe turbulence that resulted in one fatality and dozens being hospitalized.
Passengers with minor injuries were offered $10,000, while those with more serious injuries were invited to negotiate a tailored compensation package, according to the airline’s statement on Tuesday.
The airline stated that passengers needing long-term medical care are being provided with an advance payment of $25,000 to cover their immediate needs.
Additionally, all passengers, even those uninjured, are being offered a full airfare refund and delay compensation in accordance with European Union and United Kingdom regulations.
“Singapore Airlines (SIA) deeply apologises to all passengers for the traumatic experience on board flight SQ321 on 20 May 2024. We are committed to providing our full support and assistance during this time,” the airline said in a statement.
A 73-year-old British man died of a suspected heart attack and dozens of passengers were injured on May 20 when flight SQ321 was buffeted by severe turbulence over Myanmar.
The incident forced the plane, which was en route to Singapore from London, to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, Thailand.
Last month, Singapore’s Ministry of Transport reported that a preliminary investigation revealed that passengers not wearing their seatbelts were injured when they became airborne due to “rapid changes” in gravitational force and a 54-meter altitude drop.
Source: Al Jazeera
