Singapore (VNA) – Singapore Airlines (SIA) on June 11 said it has offered 10,000 USD compensation to passengers who suffered minor injuries on board of the turbulence-hit Flight SQ321 in May and will discuss higher payouts with those more badly hurt.
According to SIA, passengers medically assessed as having sustained serious injuries, requiring long-term medical care, and requesting financial assistance are offered an advance payment of 25,000 USD to address their immediate needs.
The airline said it will refund passengers' airfares and compensate them for the delay in line with European Union or British regulations covering their tickets.
Flight SQ321 carried 211 passengers and 18 crewmembers from London to Singapore on May 20 encountered an extreme turbulence while flying over Myanmar, after that the aircraft diverted to Thailand
A 73-year-old passenger died of a suspected heart attack and dozens were injured after the incident.
As of June 4, 20 passengers are still receiving medical care in hospitals in Bangkok.
Singpore’s transport ministry has said a sudden 54-metre altitude drop caused unbelted passengers on the flight to be thrown violently inside the cabin.
The aircraft experienced a “rapid change” in gravitational force, or G-force, while the plane was passing over the south of Myanmar, the ministry said citing a preliminary report by Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau.
The incident put seatbelt practices in the spotlight, with airlines typically allowing passengers to undo belts during normal cruise conditions, while recommending they keep them on.
SIA, widely recognised as one of the world's leading airlines and a benchmark for much of the industry, has not had major incidents in recent years.
