Team Blitz India
SINGAPORE Airlines has offered US$10,000 compensation payments to passengers who suffered minor injuries during a flight last month that hit sudden, extreme turbulence.
Dropped 54 metres
The airline announced that it had sent compensation offers to passengers who were on board flight SQ321 from London to Singapore on 20 May. The airline dropped 54 metres in altitude in less than five seconds while flying to Myanmar.
“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 to address their immediate needs,” that will form part of any final settlement, the carrier added. Singapore Airlines will also refund all passengers on the flight, even those who were not injured, as well as offer compensation for delays they are entitled to under the European Union’s or United Kingdom’s regulatory schemes.
A 73-year-old passenger died of a suspected heart attack and dozens were injured after flight SQ321 from London to Singapore encountered what the airline described as sudden, extreme turbulence while flying over Myanmar. It diverted and landed in Bangkok, Thailand. Of the 211 passengers and 18 crew onboard, 104 people were injured. The injured passengers remain hospitalised in Bangkok.
Passengers said crew and those not strapped slammed into the cabin ceiling, cracking it in places. A Bangkok hospital treating passengers said there were spinal cord, brain and skull injuries.
Rapid change A preliminary report by Singapore’s Transport Ministry said a rapid change in gravitational force and a 54-metre (177-foot) altitude drop likely caused passengers and crew to become airborne. It said the plane was likely flying over an area of “developing convective activity”, a term referring to developing bad weather.
