Fly Jamaica begins process of compensation following last month’s crash-landing
Fly Jamaica said that the airline is prepared to compensate passengers who were onboard flight OJ256 which crash-landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on November 9.
The airline said it continues to work closely with the authorities to identify the underlying cause of the incident. According to a statement from the airline, equally and importantly, they are continuing to support our passengers whose welfare is also our utmost priority.
“Now that the immediate post-incident travel and accommodation needs of our passengers have been met, Fly Jamaica has begun the process of interfacing with its customers to ensure that if they have suffered loss, they can be fairly and reasonably compensated in line with accepted principles of aviation international law and our own corporate responsibility to our valued customers,” the airline stated.
Fly Jamaica has invited passengers who were on-board the flight and who may have suffered loss, to make direct contact with the airline as soon as possible in order to discuss whether they may qualify for reimbursement or other compensation.
The move by the airline comes on the heels of the filing of a class action lawsuit which was filed on November 23, 2018 by Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP and Camp Fiorante Matthews Mogerman LLP, in Canada. The filing was done with the Superior Court of Ontario against Fly Jamaica for injuries and losses sustained by passengers.
On November 9, 2018, the Fly Jamaica aircraft left CJIA headed for Toronto shortly after 1:00 am.
The Boeing 757, carrying, 128 passengers was forced to return to the airport 20 minutes into the flight after experiencing hydraulic problems. 84 Canadian passengers were onboard.
The plane overshot the runway and crash landed. Several of the plane tyres blew out and its right engine became dislodged from its wing as the plane came to a stop metres from a deep embankment.
Passengers suffered a variety of injuries, and lost belongings that were left on the plane after evacuating. They lost jewellery, cash and electronics.
Passengers also had to reportedly arrange and pay for their transportation home. The class action will seek to obtain appropriate compensation for the damage caused to the passengers.
One person, 86-year-old Rookhia Kalloo, died shortly after the incident. There has been no determination on whether her demise was in any way related. (Kaieteur News)