TAIPEI, Taiwan (FN) — Taiwanese carrier Eva Air has issued a public apology after sending a text message to a deceased flight attendant requesting documentation for medical leave, prompting widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
The flight attendant, identified by her surname Sun, died Oct. 8 after reportedly falling ill during a Sept. 24 flight from Milan to Taoyuan City, Taiwan. She was 34 years old and had worked for the airline since 2016.
According to Sun’s family, the airline contacted her phone days after her death, asking for proof that she had applied for leave during her hospitalization. The family responded by sending a copy of her death certificate.
Eva Air said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened” by Sun’s passing and maintained contact with her family during her hospital stay. The airline added that it was conducting a thorough internal review and emphasized that employee health and safety remain top priorities.
Social media users, including individuals claiming to be Sun’s colleagues, alleged that she had been pressured to continue working despite feeling unwell. These claims have fueled speculation that overwork may have contributed to her death.
Taiwanese authorities and Eva Air have launched investigations into whether Sun was denied medical assistance or discouraged from taking sick leave. The China Medical University Hospital in Taichung, where she died, has not released an official cause of death.
Flight records reviewed by Taiwan’s Central News Agency showed that Sun flew an average of 75 hours per month over the past six months, which falls within regulatory limits. However, critics argue that the airline’s culture may have contributed to excessive workloads.
Eva Air executives described the text message as a “mistake by an internal employee” and said they had personally apologized to Sun’s family during a press conference. President Sun Chia-Ming called her death “a pain in our hearts forever.”
“We will carry out the investigation with the most responsible attitude,” Sun said, pledging transparency and accountability in the ongoing inquiry.
Eva Air has previously faced scrutiny over labor practices. Since 2013, the airline has been fined seven times, mostly for violations related to staff working overtime, according to CNA.
