Singapore Airlines to compensate passengers on flight where British man died amid extreme turbulence

Passengers on board a flight from Heathrow where a 73-year-old man died amid extreme turbulence have been offered compensation by Singapore Airlines.

Geoffrey Kitchen, a musical theatre director from Gloucestershire, is believed to have died from a suspected heart attack after the plane experienced a sudden drop mid-air, plunging thousands of feet on May 20.

Dozens were injured on the Boeing 777 jet, which had been carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew from London to Singapore, ran into sudden turbulence over the Irrawaddy basin.

Geoff Kitchen died on the flight amid extreme turbulence

Passengers told how the plane suffered a “dramatic drop”, meaning people not wearing seatbelts were “launched immediately into the ceiling”.

Travelers were taken to hospital with brain damage and broken bones and 19 people remain in hospital in Bangkok.

Singapore Airlines has offered $10,000 in compensation for passengers with minor injuries.

“For 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,” it said in a statement.

Those medically assessed to have sustained serious injuries, requiring long-term medical care and requesting financial assistance will receive an advance payment of $25,000 for their immediate needs, it said. 

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

Passengers of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 greet family members (AFP via Getty Images)

The airline said it will also provide full refunds to all passengers on the flight, including those without any injuries. All passengers will also receive delay compensation in accordance with European Union or UK regulations, it said.

The airline added that it had already given all passengers 1,000 Singapore dollars ($739) each for their immediate needs, covered medical expenses of injured passengers, and arranged for their family members and loved ones to fly up to Bangkok where requested.

A preliminary investigation by Singapore’s Transport Ministry said the plane went through huge swings in g-force in less than five seconds, likely causing the injuries to people who weren’t buckled into their seats.

It said the jet dropped 178 feet (54 metres) in less than one second, which “likely resulted in the occupants who were not belted up to become airborne” before falling back down.

Officials said the turbulence was believed to have struck when meals were being served and many people were not using seat belts.