Taoyuan: Labor inspectors in Taoyuan have launched an investigation into the death of an EVA Airways flight attendant who reportedly fell ill during a long-haul flight from Milan to Taiwan and later died.
According to Focus Taiwan, the Taoyuan City Office of Labor Inspection stated that investigators will question flight attendants and the purser on duty to determine whether the deceased employee, a 34-year-old woman surnamed Sun, was denied medical assistance or discouraged from taking sick leave. Sun, who joined EVA Air in December 2016, experienced health issues during the flight from Milan to Taoyuan on September 24 and sought medical treatment upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport on September 25.
After receiving medication at a nearby clinic, Sun returned home but was admitted to Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital on September 26 as her condition worsened. She was later transferred to China Medical University Hospital in Taichung on October 8, where she died two days later. No cause of death has been provided yet.
The office indicated that Sun’s work records showed an average of about 75 flight hours per month over the past six months, which is within regulatory limits. However, there are online allegations that supervisors ignored signs of her illness, prompting labor officials to assess whether proper medical and reporting procedures were followed.
EVA Air has expressed its sadness over Sun’s death and announced an internal investigation. The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) noted that the purser did not report any illness in the post-flight report but mentioned that the airline is reaching out to the crew for more information.
EVA Air has faced fines seven times since 2023 amounting to NT$2.95 million (US$90,000) for labor violations, primarily due to overtime work. A viral post on social media claimed that Sun’s requests for rest and medical help were ignored and highlighted a fear among cabin crew about taking sick leave due to potential impacts on performance reviews and bonuses.
The CAA will continue to oversee EVA Air’s handling of the incident and review the airline’s compliance with safety and labor regulations. In a joint statement, the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union and EVA Air’s corporate union extended their condolences to Sun’s family and urged for a comprehensive investigation. They also called for improvements in the airline’s sick leave policies to ensure crew members can safely report health issues without fear of penalties.
