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Company offers thousands to victims of Singapore Airlines turbulence

Theo

Image source, Getty Images

Image description, Singapore Airlines has apologized and offered to pay compensation to passengers injured in extreme turbulence

  • Author, Joao da Silva
  • Role, Business reporter

Singapore Airlines has offered compensation to those injured on a flight from London to Singapore that encountered severe turbulence.

In a Facebook post, the airline said it was offering $10,000 (£7,800) compensation to those who suffered minor injuries.

For passengers with more serious injuries, the airline will provide “an upfront payment of $25,000 to meet their immediate needs” and further discussions to address “their specific circumstances.”

A 73-year-old British passenger died and dozens more were injured when Flight SQ 321 encountered turbulence over Myanmar in May and was diverted to Thailand.

Singapore Airlines has not yet responded to a request from BBC News for further information on the number of people eligible for the payments.

More than a hundred people who were on SQ 321 were treated at a Bangkok hospital after the incident.

Passengers described how crew members and unbelted people were thrown through the air and hit the cabin ceiling.

A hospital in Bangkok where the passengers are being treated said they suffered injuries to their spinal cord, head and muscles.

There were 211 passengers – including many Britons, Australians and Singaporeans – and 18 crew members were on board the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft at the time of the incident.

The company said it would refund the full fare to all passengers on the flight, including those who were not injured.

In addition, Singapore Airlines said that passengers would receive compensation in case of delays in accordance with European Union and United Kingdom regulations.

The airline also offered all passengers S$1,000 ($739; £580) to cover immediate expenses and arranged flights for their relatives to the Thai capital upon request.

According to international regulations, airlines must pay compensation if passengers are injured or die on board an aircraft.

The incident drew attention to seat belt practices, as airlines typically allow passengers to unfasten their belts during normal cruise conditions.

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