Eva Air apologises after texting deceased flight attendant for leave documents

Taiwanese carrier Eva Air has issued a public apology after an employee mistakenly texted a deceased flight attendant requesting leave paperwork, intensifying outrage over the woman’s death and alleged overwork.

The 34-year-old crew member, identified by her surname Sun, died on 8 October after reportedly falling ill during a Milan–Taoyuan flight on 24 September. She was hospitalised immediately upon return to Taiwan, but did not recover.

Days after her death, Ms Sun’s family said they received a text from an Eva Air representative asking for “proof of leave application” for the period she was hospitalised. The family responded with a copy of her death certificate.

Eva Air called the message a “mistake by an internal employee” and said senior management had personally apologised to Ms Sun’s family. “The departure of Ms Sun is the pain in our hearts forever,” said President Sun Chia-Ming, adding that the airline is conducting a full investigation into the incident and her death.

The case has sparked public anger in Taiwan, with widespread speculation that Ms Sun was overworked or discouraged from taking sick leave. Taiwan’s Ministry of Labour and Eva Air have both launched inquiries.

Ms Sun had averaged 75 flight hours per month over the past six months — within legal limits, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency. However, Eva Air has previously faced penalties for excessive staff overtime, having been fined seven times since 2013.

The airline said it remains “deeply saddened” by Ms Sun’s death and reaffirmed that the health and safety of employees and passengers are its top priorities.

Source: BBC