Air India Refutes Claims of Coercing Families of AI 171 Crash Victims to Reveal Financial Dependence
In the aftermath of the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12, which claimed the lives of 241 people on board and many on the ground, families of the victims have raised concerns over the airline's compensation process. UK-based law firm Stewarts, representing over 40 families, has alleged that Air India has been coercing them into disclosing financial dependency for compensation, a claim vehemently denied by the airline.
Peter Neenan, an aviation lawyer and partner at Stewarts, has represented families in various large airline disasters, including MH17 and MH370. According to Neenan, some families have reported that Air India officials visited their homes and asked why they had not completed the forms, causing deep distress for those already grappling with immense loss.
However, Air India has strongly denied these allegations, describing them as "unsubstantiated and inaccurate." The airline states that a questionnaire circulated among passengers was intended to verify familial relationships for the rightful distribution of interim payments. Air India also clarifies that families have been given time and flexibility to complete the questionnaire, which can be submitted in person or by email, and that no uninvited home visits were made.
Despite these assurances, Neenan has called for an investigation into Air India's behaviour regarding the treatment of families. He alleges that the airline did not provide any warning, legal advice, or copies of the documents to the families, potentially saving the airline at least £100m by under-compensating families. Neenan also claims that Air India falsely told families they would not receive any payments unless they completed the forms, despite airlines being required under international law to make immediate advance payments to families entitled to compensation.
As of now, Air India has paid an interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh to 47 families, and interim compensation for another 55 families is in process and will be disbursed soon. The families are only required to provide proof of identity and sign a receipt, according to international law, not to complete any additional forms.
This ongoing controversy underscores the importance of transparency and sensitivity in handling such tragic events, ensuring that the families of the victims are treated with the utmost respect and compassion during the compensation process.
Finance and business news outlets have reported concerns about Air India's treatment of families affected by the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash. Peter Neenan, an aviation lawyer representing families, has called for an investigation, alleging that the airline may have saved millions by under-compensating families and failing to provide legal advice or documents. Despite Air India's denials, it has been reported that they did not follow international law in their compensation process.
