A Beijing court commenced compensation hearings on November 27 for the families of the Chinese passengers of the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, dissapeared almost ten years ago. The flight, carrying over 150 Chinese nationals, mysteriously vanished over the Indian Ocean on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014.
Relatives of the passengers are demanding compensation from entities including Malaysia Airlines, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and Allianz insurance group. Although the court has not disclosed case details, reports suggest that over 40 families are seeking compensation ranging from 10 to 80 million yuan (1.4 million to 11.2 million dollars) per claim.
Continued Quest for Truth and Closure
Family spokesperson Jiang Hui expressed their frustration, highlighting that Malaysia Airlines’ lack of responsibility has forced them to seek legal recourse. Relatives prioritize the resumption of search efforts and direct communication from Malaysia Airlines over monetary compensation, with many seeking psychological support in light of the tragic event.
The disappearance of MH370 has been one of the most baffling mysteries in aviation history, with Malaysian investigators not ruling out deliberate diversion. Debris believed to be from the plane has been found along the African coast and Indian Ocean islands.
The incident, quickly followed by the accidental downing of flight MH17 in contested Russian-Ukrainian airspace, accelerated the airline’s path to demise, accumulating debt and operational issues. Aiming to reduce exposure, the carrier tried to get rid of its Airbus A380 fleet, but found no buyer.
Due to lack of buyers, Malaysia Airlines would return its A380s to Airbus
The tragedy has sparked global interest and calls for renewed searches, including a proposal for U.S. firm Ocean Infinity to lead a new expedition.
