Singapore Airlines (SIA) has offered compensation to passengers who were on a flight that encountered severe turbulence last month. The flight, SQ321, was traveling from London to Singapore and had 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board. The incident occurred over the Irrawaddy basin on May 20, causing many injuries and one death.
The flight was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER. While flying over southern Myanmar, the plane suddenly dropped 54 meters (177 feet) in altitude, causing unsecured passengers and items to be thrown around the cabin. The turbulence happened likely during meal service when many passengers were not wearing their seatbelts.
A 73-year-old British man lost his life, and several other passengers and crew members sustained serious injuries, including injuries to their skull, brain, and spine. The pilots decided to divert the aircraft to Bangkok, where the injured were taken to hospitals.
Compensation Offers
SIA announced it has reached out to passengers via email, offering $10,000 each to those who suffered minor injuries. For passengers with more serious injuries, the airline will discuss higher compensation amounts tailored to their specific needs once they are ready.
Passengers who require long-term medical care will receive an advance payment of $25,000 to cover immediate needs. This payment will be part of the final compensation they receive.
SIA is also refunding the airfares of all passengers on the flight, regardless of whether they were injured. Additionally, all passengers will receive delay compensation according to European Union or United Kingdom regulations.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 11 passengers from the flight were still receiving medical treatment in Bangkok hospitals. The airline has covered the medical expenses of the injured passengers and facilitated the travel of family members to Bangkok when requested.
Under the Montreal Convention, airlines are liable for damages resulting from passenger injuries or deaths while on an airplane. SIA stated that the compensation amounts are based on the severity of each passenger’s injuries, as reported by medical institutions. The airline acknowledges that passengers with more serious injuries may need further tailored support.
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Before this announcement, SIA had already provided SG$1,000 ($740) to each passenger departing Bangkok to cover immediate expenses. The airline reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the affected passengers, stating, “SIA remains committed to supporting the affected passengers who were on board SQ321.”
Investigation and Preliminary Findings
According to Singapore’s transport ministry, the turbulence caused a rapid change in gravitational force or G-force experienced by the aircraft. The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) in Singapore is investigating the incident with specialists from the US National Transportation Safety Board, the US Federal Aviation Administration, and Boeing.
Passengers on board described the horrifying experience of the plane violently shaking and unsecured objects becoming airborne. The investigation is ongoing, but preliminary reports attribute the incident to a sudden change in G-force.
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