Several relatives told CNN on Sunday that families of those on board the plane were presented with a draft letter from AirAsia outlining details of preliminary compensation of about $24,000 for each family member who was on the plane.
As noted above, $24,000 is not coincidental. It is Air Asia's limit of liability under the Warsaw Convention (
if it applies - which is a very big if at this time).
Call me cynical but I would postulate that the letter will seek to limit Air Asia's liability in return for this payment.