Passengers severely injured during extreme turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight earlier this week could receive six-figure payouts or more, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.
The incident occurred on a flight from London to Singapore when the Boeing 777 aircraft experienced a dramatic drop of several hundred feet before stabilizing mid-flight. Tragically, a 73-year-old British man died, and more than 100 other passengers were treated for various injuries, marking one of the most severe turbulence incidents in recent history. Several passengers sustained traumatic injuries, including paralysis, skull and back trauma, and brain injuries, as reported by The Associated Press.
An aviation lawyer informed the South China Morning Post that damages will not be awarded until an investigation is completed—a process that could take years. However, injured passengers can seek compensation through the Montreal Convention, an international treaty established over two decades ago.
The Montreal Convention (MC99) governs global airline liability in cases of passenger death and injury. Created in 1999, the treaty aims to unify airline policies, protect passengers, and hold airlines accountable, as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (IATA). According to the IATA, the agreement allows passengers who suffer injuries caused by an airline to recover up to $170,000.
“MC99 is designed to be a single, universal treaty to govern airline liability around the world,” the IATA stated.
Past cases illustrate the treaty’s application. In 2020, an unnamed woman received $33,000 from Ryanair after breaking her leg while exiting the aircraft, citing the Montreal Convention in her claim. More recently, a passenger sued Delta Airlines in May, seeking $1 million after allegedly breaking a rib when an armrest collapsed. The passenger’s lawsuit includes an accusation of negligence against Delta.
While the investigation into the Singapore Airlines incident continues, the potential for significant compensation under the Montreal Convention underscores the treaty’s role in addressing airline liability and passenger protection.