Singapore Airlines has offered compensation to passengers injured during a flight with severe turbulence last month. Passengers with minor injuries have received $10,000 in compensation, while those with more serious injuries are being offered discussions about compensation. Passengers with serious injuries requiring long-term care have been offered an advance payment of $25,000 to address immediate needs, with final compensation to follow. Additionally, all passengers on the affected flight will be refunded the cost of their tickets.
The incident occurred during a flight from London to Singapore, with turbulence hitting the Boeing 777-300ER over Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Basin. One passenger, 73-year-old British man Geoff Kitchen, passed away due to a suspected heart condition. The aircraft was diverted to Bangkok following the turbulence. Some passengers remained hospitalized in Thailand more than two weeks after the incident, with one passenger, Kerry Jordan, reportedly paralyzed from the chest down.
Flight data from FlightRadar24 showed the aircraft suddenly dipping and climbing a few hundred feet before settling back at cruising altitude. The turbulence lasted approximately 90 seconds, likely caused by rapidly developing thunderstorms over southern Myanmar. Turbulence occurs when a plane flies through clashing bodies of air moving at different speeds, leading to unexpected and sometimes dangerous conditions for passengers on board.
Passengers with serious injuries have been offered an advance payment of $25,000, with additional compensation to follow. Many passengers sustained injuries during the turbulence, including one passenger who was paralyzed from the chest down. The flight encountered extreme turbulence over Myanmar, likely due to rapidly developing thunderstorms in the area. The airline is providing compensation and refunds to all passengers affected by the incident.
The compensation offered by Singapore Airlines includes $10,000 for passengers with minor injuries, with additional discussions for those with more serious injuries. Passengers requiring long-term care have been offered an advance payment to address immediate needs, with final compensation to follow. The incident on the London to Singapore flight resulted in one passenger’s death and hospitalization for several others, leading to ongoing discussions about the cause of the turbulence and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
