Taiwan’s EVA Air has come under heavy public scrutiny after it was revealed that the airline requested sick leave paperwork from a flight attendant who had already passed away. The tragic case, reported by Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA), has sparked outrage and renewed calls for accountability and empathy within the aviation industry.
According to reports, flight attendant Ms. Sun, 34, fell seriously ill during a September 24 flight from Milan, Italy, to Taoyuan, Taiwan. Despite her deteriorating condition, a cabin crew manager allegedly ignored her medical needs, refusing to seek immediate ground medical assistance and insisting she continue her duties.
Following the flight, Ms. Sun sought treatment at a local clinic on September 25, before being transferred between hospitals over the following weeks. She sadly passed away on October 10.
Adding to the family’s pain, on the very day of her funeral, an EVA Air employee texted Sun’s phone asking for sick leave documentation related to her hospital stay. Screenshots of the exchange went viral, with her grieving family replying sharply, “Did you not see the news? Clearly, there’s a lot to be improved in your company.” They then attached her death certificate with a haunting message: “I just submitted it ‘as soon as possible’ as you wished. Take your time now, there is no rush.”
EVA Air later admitted the message was sent “by mistake”, claiming the employee was “insufficiently familiar with their work duties.” The airline’s president, Sun Chia-Ming, publicly apologised, expressing “deep regret” and vowing a thorough internal investigation.
“We humbly accept the criticism,” he said. “The departure of Ms. Sun is a pain in our hearts forever.”
Despite assurances, union members and the public continue to demand justice, arguing the tragedy reflects a deeper issue — a toxic workplace culture and lack of human empathy. The Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union criticised EVA Air for its silence and for failing to prioritise employee well-being.
CNA also reported that EVA Air has been fined seven times since 2013, mostly for staff overwork violations.
In a world driven by efficiency and profit, this story reminds us that behind every flight, every seat, and every uniform, there are human lives — deserving of dignity, respect, and compassion. No policy or performance metric should ever outweigh humanity.
