Source: Africa Publicity
Delta Air Lines has announced that it will offer $30,000 to each passenger on board Flight 4819, which crashed and caught fire at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17. The flight, operated by Delta subsidiary Endeavor Air, had 80 people on board, including four crew members, and all survived the incident.
The airline’s offer, which totals approximately $2.3 million, is a gesture of goodwill and does not affect the passengers’ rights to pursue further compensation. According to Delta, the offer has no strings attached, and passengers who accept it will receive the payment shortly after agreeing.
The incident occurred when the CRJ900 twin-jet aircraft landed hard on the runway, causing the rear landing gear to buckle and the right wing to shear off in a fireball. Strong winds had been reported in Toronto throughout the day.
Twenty-one passengers were taken to the hospital but have since been released. The airline has stated that it will provide support to those affected by the incident.
While Delta’s offer is seen as a positive gesture, it is unlikely to deter passengers from filing lawsuits. According to aviation law experts, passengers may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages under the Montreal Convention, an international treaty that covers cases occurring on international itineraries.
Under the treaty, passengers can be compensated up to $200,000 without dispute, and if the airline is found to be negligent, the cap on damages can exceed $200,000. Passengers have two years to file a lawsuit, and experts expect most cases to be resolved outside of court within 12 to 18 months.
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