MAS Assures MH370 Families Of Fair, Reasonable Compensation

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) remains steadfast to ensure that fair and reasonable compensation is paid to the families of all MH370 passengers in accordance with the applicable laws. The airline said its representatives would be contacting the appointed next-of-kin to proceed with the compensation process following the official declaration of an accident to the flight MH370 under international aviation rules Thursday. Further resources are being deployed at its Family Support Centre (FSC) which had been set up in Kuala Lumpur, MAS said in a statement here, Thursday. In order to facilitate and expedite the compensation process, the airline has installed additional phone lines besides proactively providing updates to family members around the world. The FSC would be the main point of contact for the next-of-kin in Malaysia and other parts of the world, along with its various regional offices, apart from China. The Boeing 777 aircraft, which was carrying 12 crew members and 227 passengers, disappeared from radar screens while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, about an hour after departing from the KL International Airport at 12.41am on March 8, 2014. It was scheduled to land in Beijing at 6.30 am the same day. Meanwhile, operations at the Family Communications and Support Centre (FCSC) in Beijing would continue and for the convenience of family members, the centre would be supported by additional Mandarin-speaking personnel. "MAS continues to provide assistance to the families of the passengers and crew. We understand this is an especially distressing time for all of them. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of the 239 passengers and crew on board flight MH370," it said. The airline's management and staff thanked the public for outpouring support throughout this challenging time. Earlier, Department of Civil Aviation director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said the Malaysian government assured that MAS would undertake its responsibilities in relation to the legitimate rights and interests of the next-of-kin as provided under the relevant international instruments and relevant domestic laws, with due consideration to international practice. "This includes the fulfilment of the compensation process, whether it is pursued through consultation or litigation. "We further understand that Malaysia Airlines is ready to proceed immediately with the compensation process, with due regard for the readiness of the next-of-kin to take this step," he said. In keeping with commitments to keep the next-of-kin apprised of the latest developments and pertinent verified information, a special section has been established on the MH370 official website, http://www.mh370.gov.my, solely for the next-of-kin. It includes information on the search and investigation efforts, the compensation process, responses to their inquiries as well as other forms of assistance that are available to them. -- BERNAMA