Delta Airlines is offering an unconditional compensation of over US$2.2 million (approximately AUD$3.44 million) to the 76 passengers involved in a recent crash landing, as confirmed by spokesperson Morgan Durrant. This gesture, described as having no strings attached, is intended to assist those facing immediate financial challenges, although it has been characterised by a lawyer representing affected passengers as merely an “advance” payment, likely to be deducted from any future settlements.
The incident saw a CRJ900 twin-jet aircraft land hard, resulting in significant damage but miraculous survival for all 80 aboard, despite some sustaining injuries—21 were hospitalised, with the last being discharged by local Thursday night. Meanwhile, Delta is working to recover and clean the passengers’ baggage from the wreckage, a process complicated by hazardous materials, potentially extending for weeks.
This crash adds to a troubling year for air travel in North America, following several deadly incidents, including a regional airline crash in Alaska that claimed ten lives and a midair collision near Washington, DC, that resulted in 67 fatalities.