The US company agrees to compensate the families of the 157 victims of the crash of the 737 MAX in Ethiopia.
According to court documents disclosed on Wednesday, Boeing reached an agreement to compensate the relatives of the victims of the Ethiopian 737 MAX crash, in which 157 people died on March 10, 2019, and admitted responsibility for the crash.
“Boeing is committed to ensuring that all families who lost loved ones in the accidents are fully and fairly compensated for their loss,” the company told AFP.
“By accepting responsibility, Boeing’s agreement with the families allows the parties to focus their efforts on determining the appropriate compensation for each family.”
The agreement proposed Wednesday in a Chicago court does not mention amounts, and it was established that the relatives of the 157 victims, of 35 nationalities, will be able to obtain compensation in US courts.
A judge has set a hearing for next Tuesday on the deal.
Flight 302 bound for Nairobi, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, crashed in a field southeast of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, six minutes after takeoff.
Deadly and costly mistakes
Boeing’s best-selling jet was grounded for 20 months after 346 people were killed in two 737 MAX crashes – in Indonesia in 2018 and in Ethiopia in 2019. The aircraft returned to service after Boeing made major upgrades.
The accidents have already cost Boeing about $ 20 billion. In January, the company reached a deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department that included $ 2.5 billion in fines and damages stemming from the 737 MAX accidents, including the Lion Air accident in October 2018.
The 737 MAX is a renewed version of the legendary aircraft launched in 1967.
In an interview, US activist Ralph Nader criticized the agreement as it will prevent lawyers from questioning current and former top Boeing executives and leading to lawsuits for punitive damages. Nader’s niece was among the 157 victims of Ethiopian Airlines.
Image Credit: Getty
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