CASH offers are about to be made to six Hong Kong families in an attempt by Aeroflot to limit legal action arising from the deaths of relatives in the airline's March crash.
Aeroflot's lawyers and underwriters in Hong Kong and London have opted to make a ''pre-emptive strike'' by trying to settle in days with dependants of those killed, sources revealed yesterday.
A letter of offer invites families to accept an ex gratia payment of US$20,000 (HK$154,360) and some out-of-pocket funeral expenses as total compensation for their relatives being killed in Aeroflot SU Flight 593 over Siberia.
But the amount on offer has been called ''derisory and insulting'' in light of alleged reckless behaviour by the captain, Yaroslav Kudrinsky, who investigators believe allowed his son to fly the plane, causing the crash.
The offer makes it clear that relatives who accept its terms must discontinue any legal action against Aeroflot or its underwriters and undertake not to sue in future.
''The families are not impressed and will obviously hold out for more,'' a source close to the relatives said.
''They see it as an attempt by Aeroflot to settle the matter as quickly as possible as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.'' Aeroflot's move towards conciliation follows a Post report last week that grieving Hong Kong families had been joined in legal action by an aviation litigation expert who gained experience from the Lauda Air tragedy three years ago.