KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 — Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is in the process of providing full compensation payouts to the next-of-kin of those missing on flight MH370.
“We’re in the middle of doing it. Full compensation will be handled by MAS. Our insurance company, together with us, will contact the family members and discuss the compensation,” he told Bernama.
On January 29, the Malaysian Government declared the loss of Flight MH370 as an accident under international aviation regulations.
Immediately following the declaration, MAS has informed all next-of-kin of the process for them to proceed with the full and final compensation.
They can contact MAS whenever they are ready to proceed with the compensation or if they have any enquiries.
“This payment is to enable the families to resume as normal a life as possible after the loss of their loved ones. I know it’s a difficult time for everyone. We will help in the best possible manner, within whatever is reasonable and we will do our best,” assured Ahmad Jauhari.
He said providing welfare support for the next-of-kin has been at the centre of every action MAS has taken since the company first learnt of the flight’s disappearance.
“No airline has ever had to respond to an incident like this and we believe we have been managing this situation as best as we possibly can.
“In many instances we have gone beyond international industry best practices,” Ahmad Jauhari said, adding that MAS’ welfare support would continue beyond the MH370 anniversary in both Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.
On March 8 last year, flight MH370, which was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew, vanished from the radar screens when flying over the South China Sea less than an hour after departing from the KL International Airport at 12.41am.
The Boeing 777-200ER jetliner was scheduled to arrive in Beijing at 6.30am on the same day.
MAS provided counselling and established Family Assistance Centres here and Beijing to enable the company stayed in close contact with around 1,000 next-of-kin, besides providing information updates twice a day by email, regular phone calls and daily briefings in the early days after the disappearance of MH370.
It also underwrote all travel and accommodation expenses for family members in Beijing and Kuala Lumpur, engaged special security forces to protect the safety and privacy of families as well as providing meal vouchers and financial assistance of US$5,000 (RM17,500) per family. — Bernama
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