TAIPEI- A tragedy aboard EVA Air (BR), one of Taiwan’s leading international carriers, has ignited public outrage after a flight attendant fell gravely ill mid flight and later died, amid reports that she was denied medical help and ordered to continue working.
The incident took place on flight BR95 from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), prompting investigations by both the airline and Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor into possible management negligence and systemic policy failures.
EVA Air Flight Attendant Died
EVA Air (BR) faces intense backlash following the death of a young and well-liked flight attendant who became seriously ill during a long-haul flight from Milan (MXP) to Taipei (TPE) on September 25.
According to reports, she had already shown signs of illness on the outbound flight to Italy, and her condition worsened sharply on the return leg.
Despite her deteriorating health, the cabin manager allegedly instructed her to continue working for the entire 13 hour flight and refused to contact Medlink, a medical advisory service used by airlines.
Witness accounts claim the manager also denied requests to arrange a medical team on arrival, forcing the unwell crew member to exit the airport on her own after landing, despite being visibly ill.
She was later taken to a hospital, but it was too late to save her. In a statement, EVA Air said it was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and confirmed an internal investigation.
However, as reported by PYOK, a fellow crew member described the event not as an accident but as “a predictable consequence of systemic and long-term indifference to crew members’ health.”
Union’s Push for Sick Leave Reforms
Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor is investigating whether EVA Air’s management was negligent in its handling of the situation.
If found responsible, the airline could face significant fines for violating labor protection standards.
The Taoyuan Flight Attendant Union, which represents EVA Air crew, condemned the carrier’s strict sick leave policy, saying it indirectly pressures staff to work while ill.
Although EVA Air claims it discourages sick employees from working, the union highlighted that the design of the leave system is punitive, taking sick leave can alter a crew member’s entire flight schedule, negatively affect annual performance reviews, and reduce bonus eligibility.
The union also urged executives to show greater empathy toward crew illness and “replace punishment with encouragement” in attendance management.
It noted that flight attendants are especially vulnerable to health issues due to long, irregular hours and extended periods spent in pressurized cabins at high altitudes, which can weaken immunity and delay recovery.
Broader Challenges
This case has reignited global debate about how airlines handle crew health. Flight attendants must be physically fit and mentally alert to handle in-flight emergencies, yet many report being penalized when illness prevents them from working.
Aviation experts stress that airlines should modernize their crew welfare policies, ensuring transparent sick leave systems, better access to in-flight medical consultation, and greater flexibility for crew recovery.
Industry observers believe that EVA Air’s tragedy could serve as a wake-up call for carriers worldwide to reassess how they balance operational demands with employee well-being.
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