Boeing announces $100mn compensation for families of plane crash victims

World Wednesday 03/July/2019 20:09 PM
By: Times News Service
Boeing announces $100mn compensation for families of plane crash victims

Chicago: Airplane manufacturer Boeing has announced a $100 million compensation fund to address family and community needs of those affected by the tragic accidents of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.

These funds will support education, hardship and living expenses for impacted families, community programmes, and economic development in impacted communities. Boeing will partner with local governments and non-profit organisations to address these needs. This initial investment will be made over multiple years.

"We at Boeing are sorry for the tragic loss of lives in both of these accidents and these lives lost will continue to weigh heavily on our hearts and on our minds for years to come. The families and loved ones of those on board have our deepest sympathies, and we hope this initial outreach can help bring them comfort," Boeing Chairman, President and CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, said.

"We know every person who steps aboard one of our airplanes places their trust in us. We are focused on re-earning that trust and confidence from our customers and the flying public in the months ahead."

Boeing will release additional information in the near future.

Consistent with Boeing's regular process for employee charitable donations, company employees will also have the opportunity to make donations in support of the families and communities impacted by the accidents. Boeing will match these employee donations through December 31, 2019.

A hundred and eighty nine people, including the crew, died in the Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Jakarta on 29 October, 2018. All 157 passengers and crew were killed in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash on 10 March, 2019 in Bishoftu, six minutes after takeoff from Nairobi, Kenya.