Singapore Airlines offers up to $25K in compensation to injured passengers on ‘turbulent’ flight

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Singapore Airlines Tuesday offered up to $25,000 in compensation to the injured passengers of a flight which hit turbulence last month while on its way to Singapore from the UK.

Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore had encountered severe turbulence, resulting in the death of one passenger and injuries to many others.

The flight had landed in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.

“For passengers who sustained minor injuries from the incident, we have offered $10,000 in compensation,” the airlines said in a statement.

Flight SQ321, a Boeing 777-300ER carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, was en route from Heathrow Airport to Singapore when it was forced to divert to Bangkok.

The deceased was identified as a 73-year-old British man, who likely suffered a heart attack.

At least 46 passengers and two crew members were hospitalized and received medical treatment in Bangkok.

The airline said: “Those who sustained more serious injuries from the incident, we have invited them to discuss a compensation offer to meet each of their specific circumstances when they feel well and ready to do so.”

“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,” it said.

“This will be part of the final compensation that these passengers will receive.”

The airlines has also fully refunded the airfare to the passengers.

It also provided cash assistance to all passengers to meet their immediate expenses upon departure from Bangkok.

Investigators had found “altitude drop” as the cause behind the mid-air turbulence during the flight.

A team of investigators from Singapore, joined by officials from the US as well as Boeing, said the gravitational force of the flight also “fluctuated” that resulted in the turbulence.