Qatar Airways Faces Allegations Over Passenger’s Death Linked to Meat-Based Meal

Tragedy Strikes as Vegetarian Meal Request Denied on Qatar Airways Flight

Qatar Airways Lawsuit Filed Over Death of California Cardiologist

A tragic incident unfolded when a Southern California cardiologist, Asoka Jayaweera, met an untimely death after being denied a vegetarian meal on a Qatar Airways flight. According to a lawsuit filed by his family, the 85-year-old doctor was traveling from Los Angeles to Sri Lanka when he choked while attempting to “eat around” the meat in the meal served to him. Despite efforts to assist him, Jayaweera became unconscious and later passed away in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Medical Emergency in Mid-Air

The flight, which originated at Los Angeles International Airport with a connection in Doha, faced this emergency approximately two-and-a-half hours after takeoff. Jayaweera, being a strict vegetarian, had requested a vegetarian meal. However, he was informed that no vegetarian meals were available, prompting him to attempt to consume the meal while avoiding the meat. This led to a choking incident that severely compromised his oxygen levels.

Allegations Against Qatar Airways

Jayaweera’s family has alleged that the situation was made worse by the flight crew’s decision not to make an emergency landing, despite reportedly flying over an area where diversion was possible. They claim the crew informed Jayaweera’s companion that they were over the Arctic Circle at the time, making a diversion challenging, though the complaint suggests the plane was actually over the Midwest.

Previous Dietary Incidents on Flights

This is not the first instance of dietary mishaps aboard Qatar Airways flights. In earlier cases, British reality star Jack Fowler had severe allergic reactions due to nut-laden meals. Similarly, a Singapore Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing when a passenger suffered a shellfish allergy attack.

• Strict dietary requests on international flights pose risks if not properly managed.
• Ensuring passenger safety includes accommodating specific meal requests effectively.

Legal Battle and International Treaty Implications

The lawsuit, initially filed in California and transferred to federal court, claims negligence and wrongful death, seeking damages beyond the Montreal Convention’s liability limit of approximately $175,000. The treaty, adhered to by both Qatar and the United States, governs airline liability in such cases. Surya Jayaweera, the deceased’s son, is pursuing further compensation for his father’s unexpected death.

Qatar Airways’ Response and Moving Forward

As of this report, Qatar Airways has not responded to requests for comment on the situation. The legal proceedings are set to continue, potentially setting a precedent for handling dietary requests and medical emergencies on international flights.