Tianjin Airlines Flight Crew Stops Hijackers, Gets Rewards

Nine members of a crew aboard a Tianjin Airlines flight from China foiled a hijack attempt last month. Now, the Associated Press reports, those people have been given money and apartments worth millions of dollars.

At the end of June, six men were arrested in China's Xinjiang region, in the west of the country, for the alleged attempt. However, an overseas rights group contends that it was not a hijacking, but instead a brawl over a seat dispute. Though the incident remains disputed, two of the men died after sustaining injuries while fighting the crew and passengers on the flight.

The men arrested are members of a sect of people called Uighurs (pronounced WEE'-gurs). The Xinjiang region is home to a large population of Uighurs, who are the ethnic minority, but the area is ruled by China's ethnic majority Hans. The AP writes that "Clashes are common between authorities and Uighurs resentful of government controls over their religion and culture."

State media reported late Monday that Hainan Airlines, the parent company of the flight operator, awarded two security guards and the chief flight attendant 1 million yuan each in cash, which is equivalent to $159,000. The company also bestowed an apartment worth 3 million yuan -- or $477,000 -- and a car upon the individuals. The other six members of the flight crew each received a cash awared of 500,000 yuan ($79,500), an apartment worth 2 million yuan ($318,000) and a car.

The passengers received a gift as well. All 22 passengers on the flight have been granted a lifetime of free airfare from the airline.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China also awarded 1 million yuan ($159,000) to the entire crew earlier this month, and Xinjiang's regional government awarded 500,000 yuan ($79,500) to be divided among the whole crew and 100,000 yuan ($15,900) each for 10 crew members and passengers. The employees also received funds from The government of China's Hainan province in the south, where the airline is headquartered. The crew will split 500,000 yuan ($79,500) and each security guard will receive 100,000 yuan ($15,900).