Taipei: EVA Airways, one of Taiwan’s prominent international carriers, announced an investigation into claims that a cabin crew manager disregarded a flight attendant’s worsening condition during a flight, which subsequently led to her death.
According to Focus Taiwan, the airline’s response follows a social media post alleging that the flight attendant, who began feeling unwell during an outbound flight, informed her cabin crew manager. Despite her condition deteriorating on the return flight, the manager reportedly failed to contact Medlink, a service providing guidance during in-flight medical emergencies, and insisted she continue working.
The post further alleges that after landing, the crew leader ignored her pleas for a wheelchair and an ambulance. The flight attendant was eventually hospitalized, where she died, as stated in the post. The anonymous author, identifying as a fellow flight attendant, claimed this incident was indicative of a broader issue of neglect towards crew members’ health.
A joint statement by the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union and EVA Airways’ corporate union highlighted that the incident occurred on a flight from Milan to Taipei in late September. They expressed hope that the tragedy would prompt the airline to become more attentive to its cabin crew’s welfare, noting that many are reluctant to take leave due to potential impacts on performance reviews and bonuses.
The unions are examining whether the manager’s actions could be classified as workplace bullying, urging EVA Air to do likewise. EVA Air confirmed contact with the flight attendant’s family during her hospitalization and acknowledged her death on October 11, extending condolences and committing to an investigation to uncover the incident’s facts.
Additionally, the Taoyuan City Office of Labor Inspection announced it had sent officials to EVA Airways to conduct its own inquiry into the matter.
