Full Breakdown
EVA Air Faces Backlash After Flight Attendant's Death and Controversial Leave Request
10/18/2025, 12:13:00 AM
Incident Overview: A Flight Attendant's Tragic Death
EVA Air, one of Taiwan's largest airlines, has come under intense scrutiny following the death of a 34-year-old flight attendant, surnamed Sun (?), who passed away on October 10, 2025, after falling ill during a flight from Milan to Taoyuan. Sun reported feeling unwell on September 24 during the return flight and sought medical attention upon arrival. Despite her deteriorating condition, she was admitted to Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital on September 26 and later transferred to China Medical University Hospital, where she died two days later.
The situation escalated when, on the day of her funeral, an EVA Air employee sent a text message to Sun's phone requesting documentation for a sick leave application, prompting outrage from the public and her family.
Official Responses and Investigations
EVA Air issued a public apology, attributing the message to a mistake by an employee who was "insufficiently familiar with their work duties." The airline's president, Sun Chia-Ming, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating, "The departure of Ms. Sun is the pain in our hearts forever." EVA Air has launched an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sun's death and the leave request.
Taiwan's Ministry of Labor and the Taoyuan City Office of Labor Inspection are also investigating whether Sun was denied medical assistance or discouraged from taking sick leave. Labor officials have noted that EVA Air's working hours and rest intervals comply with regulations, but they will examine the airline's handling of Sun's case.
Criticism and Opposition: Concerns Over Workplace Culture
The incident has sparked significant criticism regarding EVA Air's workplace culture. Members of the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union have accused the airline of fostering an environment where employees feel pressured to work while ill. Union representatives highlighted that Sun had averaged 75 flight hours per month, which is within legal limits, yet alleged that employees are penalized for taking sick leave, impacting their performance evaluations and bonuses.
Anonymous social media posts from colleagues of Sun suggested that supervisors ignored her health complaints and pressured her to continue working. Union member Chao Chieh-huan criticized EVA Air for its lack of timely communication and accountability, stating, "Seven days have passed since Sun's death, yet we have not received any apologies or explanations from EVA Air."
Broader Implications and Future Actions
The case has reignited discussions about the working conditions of airline staff in Taiwan. In response to the public outcry, the Ministry of Labor announced that all Taiwanese airlines, including EVA Air, agreed not to penalize employees for taking necessary sick leave. This agreement aims to ensure that employees can report health issues without fear of repercussions.
EVA Air has committed to improving its health reporting and workplace safety protocols, with plans to revise performance evaluation criteria to protect employees who take sick leave. The airline's executives have pledged to handle the situation with the utmost responsibility and to ensure safer working conditions for all employees.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The departure of Ms Sun is the pain in our hearts forever” — Sun Chia-Ming, President of EVA Air
- “This was not some regrettable coincidence, but the result of systemic and long-term indifference to crew members’ health.” — Anonymous EVA Air colleague
- “Life is priceless; requesting leave is not a crime.” — Protesters at Legislative Yuan
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While EVA Air maintains that Sun's working hours were compliant with regulations, there are conflicting reports from union members alleging systemic issues regarding employee health and sick leave policies. The cause of Sun's death has not been officially disclosed, and further investigation is needed to clarify the circumstances surrounding her illness and the airline's response.
