Airline CEO Calls Passengers, Expresses Confidence In Type

Despite efforts by British Airways to console and placate the passengers onboard one of its Boeing 777s that crashed on approach to Heathrow last month, the airline still faces a possible flurry of lawsuits.

According to The Daily Mail, some passengers have already called lawyers, claiming hearing problems and other trauma caused by the hard landing. Others are angry they were allegedly held beside the fallen plane for up to 20 minutes, despite leaking fuel and fears it could explode.

The airline has taken steps to address those concerns... and heed off such lawsuits. CEO Willie Walsh has placed calls to the passengers, offering counseling and, in some cases, a free 45-minute flight over London to help them overcome fears of flying again. Other airline personnel have been in regular contact with the passengers, as well.

"We are in touch with each passenger individually and we are discussing their needs on a one-to-one basis," said one BA spokesperson

Those efforts fall short of what some passengers expect, according to Sally Moore, a personal injury lawyer at Leigh Day & Co. "These passengers have suffered a near-death experience and could be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder," she said, adding several passengers have called the firm to inquire about lawsuits.

"I fear I will never fly again," said passenger Lukasz Pilarczyk, 26. I can't imagine a time when I can get back in a plane. After we evacuated, we were around 50 meters from the plane for about thought that if the plane would all die." Conversely, Dr. Jeroen Ensink, 33, says he supports BA's handling of the incident -- saying he's been bombarded by calls from airline personnel, including a personal call from Walsh.

In a recent interview, Walsh told The Wall Street Journal "I'll refrain from speculation" on the cause of the accident, but added he "would have no hesitation flying on a 777."

British tort law limits damages for mental trauma to £85,000 per person -- about $169,000 at current exchange rates. That sum could escalate, however, if British Airways is found to be at fault in the crash.

As ANN reported Monday, investigators are focusing their efforts on the possibility of fuel contamination, which resulted in the formation of ice particles on the plane's high-altitude flight from Beijing. Those particles may have blocked adequate fuel flow to the engines.

FMI: www.britishairways.com