EVA Air discussing possible changes following flight attendant death

Taipei, Oct. 24 (CNA) Taiwanese airline EVA Air on Friday outlined possible policy changes following an internal investigation into the death of a young flight attendant on Oct. 10, who worked even though she was sick.

In a statement, the airline said it is considering a new rule requiring chief and deputy pursers, who oversee flight attendants onboard, to relieve any cabin crew member deemed unfit for duty and to report the situation to the company.

Under the proposal, the unwell crew member would be sent back to Taiwan as a passenger, while other crew on the flight would receive a bonus for taking on extra work to "ease the guilt" of the relieved attendant.

EVA Air also said it will revise its job performance review system by the end of 2025 to "allow margin for sick leave," but did not say what measures would be implemented.

The company made the announcement following the death of a 34-year-old flight attendant surnamed Sun (孫), who reportedly fell ill while working a round-trip flight between Taipei and Milan in late September and later died in Taiwan on Oct. 10. 

● EVA Air flight attendant's death under investigation

● Union angered at EVA Air's reluctance to address flight attendant's death

EVA Air said its investigation found that the purser on the flight "failed to use available medical resources" or report Sun's condition to the pilots and the company due to "a lack of knowledge," delaying her access to medical care.

The carrier said it will better inform flight attendants about manager contacts and ambulance fee coverage at foreign destinations, adding that some were unaware of these details and that it plans to create an "open platform" disclosing the information "in the future."

Taoyuan Flight Attendant Union responded to EVA Air's statement in a Facebook post Friday, criticizing the company for failing to address the structural pressures that led the flight attendant to work while ill and for not adequately reflecting on its workplace culture.

It noted that flight attendants face multiple penalties for taking any kind of leave, such as deductions in performance scores and restrictions on flight scheduling, with even harsher penalties during national holidays.

The union argued that EVA Air's report only vaguely promised to adjust its evaluation system, and expressed concern that the airline's delay in making changes could be a ploy to defuse criticism.

It urged EVA Air to negotiate with the union and guarantee that taking leave will not impact employee evaluations or scheduling rights. The two sides have currently held only one meeting.