31 hurt as turbulence hits Etihad flight

UPDATE:

A specialist team from Etihad Airways has today visited the nine passengers, hospitalised after Etihad Airways flight EY474 encountered severe and unexpected clear air turbulence, to provide ongoing care, support and assistance.
 
They also met with several of the families of the injured and confirmed Etihad Airways would cover the medical expenses.
 
Of the nine who were hospitalised, the majority will be discharged by the end of today.

Etihad Airways' President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said: "Our pilots and cabin crew are to be commended for the calm and professional manner in which they dealt with this exceptional event, and the care they showed the passengers, despite several being injured themselves. It is testament to the high standard of our crew training that the effects of the turbulence were minimised. At no time was the safety of the aircraft, passengers or crew compromised."

Etihad Airways is cooperating fully with the Indonesian authorities in their investigation.

EARLIER

Thirty-one passengers have been injured aboard a Jakarta-bound Etihad Airways flight, after the carrier hit ‘unexpected turbulence’ 45 minutes prior to landing.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline’s flight EY474 was bound for Soekarno Hatta International Airport on May 4, when it was affected by turbulence, which further led to nine passengers being shifted to the local hospital in the Indonesian capital.

The airline confirmed the incident aboard its flight, adding that the aircraft has also sustained damages in the storage areas.

In an emailed statement, the airline said: “Etihad Airways flight EY474 from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta on 4 May 2016 encountered severe and unexpected turbulence about 45 minutes prior to arrival at Soekarno Hatta International Airport.

“The flight landed safely and passengers were met by medical assistance teams as they disembarked the aircraft.”

The airline further continued, saying: “A total of 31 passengers were injured. Twenty-two are being treated by paramedics for minor injuries at the airport. Nine other passengers have been taken to a local hospital.

“We are providing all possible assistance to affected passengers.”

Etihad further confirmed the aircraft damage, saying: “The turbulence also caused some damage to cabin storage areas.”

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