Singapore Airlines is accused of trying to settle compensation claims after a fatal turbulence flight at the expense of the victims

A lawyer representing some of the victims injured in severe turbulence on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow on May 20, which resulted in one death and numerous serious injuries, accuses the airline of attempting to settle compensation claims in a cheap manner.

Peter Carter of Australian law firm Carter Capner Law, where many of the passengers live, claims that Singapore Airlines is trying to give passengers a “low bar” and that many of them are entitled to “substantial” compensation.

So far, Singapore Airlines has offered the most seriously injured passengers an advance of $25,000 in compensation and reimbursed all passengers on board for their flight costs.

The airline also paid for all private medical care for all passengers injured during the flight.

Singapore Airlines offered a total of $10,000 in compensation up front to the dozens of passengers who suffered minor injuries. However, the total compensation could be much higher.

A preliminary accident report from Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau shows that the pilots of SQ321 had turned on their seatbelt signs just seconds before the plane suddenly plunged 170 feet (54 meters), throwing everyone who was not wearing a seatbelt toward the ceiling.

The turbulence that caused the most serious injuries lasted only five seconds and, tragically, 73-year-old passenger Geoff Kitchen died, presumably of a heart attack.

Peter Carter claims that Singapore Airlines should be held liable for the accident because the pilots should have diverted the plane's route away from the storm area affected by the turbulence.

“Other aircraft took evasive action and changed direction, but flight SQ321 flew directly into the area,” Carter commented. “Passengers need to know that this was not a random accident and that they are therefore entitled to significant compensation, not just the reimbursement that the airline has offered so far.”

Carter added: “We are confident that the true facts will show that the crew was responsible for the accident and that the airline's obligation to compensate passengers is therefore unlimited. Many passengers are entitled to seven-figure compensation.”

Following the accident, Singapore Airlines announced that the airline would change its turbulence procedures to improve the safety of passengers and crew.

In the past, Singapore Airlines cabin crew continued to serve meals and refreshments during light and moderate turbulence, but the airline now requires flight attendants to fasten their seat belts in their jump seats when the fasten seat belt sign is illuminated.

Other airlines in the region have also taken note of the incident, with Korean Air announcing last month that it would no longer serve cup noodles in economy class on long-haul flights, citing concerns that scalding water could spill out of the cup noodles during turbulence, causing burns.

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