Air India Flight 171: Where matters stand more than one year on.
More than a year has now passed since the tragic loss of Air India Flight 171. While the official investigation continues, many families remain understandably concerned about what progress has been made, what support is available, and what legal options remain open to them.
At Slee Blackwell Solicitors LLP, we are continuing to support families affected by the disaster. We are working in association with leading US aviation attorney Mike Andrews of Beasley Allen, together with barrister Jerome Silva of 4 Kings Bench Walk in London, to assist families with compensation claims, jurisdiction issues and the wider legal consequences of this disaster.
While aviation law can be legally complex, we recognise that for most families the issues that matter most are often much more personal:
- How will the family cope financially?
- What compensation may be available?
- What happens if children depended on the deceased?
- Should interim compensation payments be accepted?
- Could signing documents affect future legal rights?
- What evidence needs to be preserved?
These are the issues our lawyers are experienced in dealing with.
No amount of compensation can ever replace a loved one. However, families deserve clear answers, proper support, and fair compensation that reflects the true impact of their loss. Our role is to help families understand their rights, protect their position, and secure long-term financial security for the future.
The 12 June 2025 Disaster
On 12 June 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.
There were 242 people on board: 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Of those on board, 241 people sadly lost their lives, and there was one survivor. Air India confirmed that the passengers included 53 British nationals, as well as nationals of India, Portugal and Canada.
A further 19 people on the ground were killed in the accident, bringing the total number of fatalities to 260.
For many families, the tragedy marked the beginning of a difficult and often overwhelming process involving bereavement, repatriation, investigations, and questions about compensation and financial support.
Immediate Support for Families of the Victims
In the immediate aftermath of the accident, Air India established assistance facilities and dedicated channels of communication for affected families.
Air India also provided practical assistance with matters including identification, hospital processes, repatriation, and funeral arrangements. The airline assigned caregivers to affected families and provided assistance with travel, accommodation, and other immediate expenses.
The accident also prompted international involvement in the official investigation. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is responsible for leading the investigation, with participation from the accident investigation authorities of other countries in accordance with international aviation procedures.
The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) provided assistance to the Indian investigation, including sending a multidisciplinary team to India. The UK AAIB’s involvement reflects, among other things, the number of UK nationals affected and the fact that the aircraft was operating a service to London Gatwick.
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also participating in the investigation because the Boeing 787 was manufactured in the United States.
For families, the international nature of the investigation is relevant because evidence and legal issues may extend across several countries and jurisdictions.
Interim Payments and Financial Assistance
Air India announced an interim payment of ₹25 lakh (approximately £21,000) to the family of each deceased passenger and to the sole survivor. Air India described this as interim financial support to assist with immediate needs.
Separately, Tata Sons announced a voluntary ex-gratia payment of ₹1 crore (approximately £85,000) in respect of each person who died. Air India stated that this payment was separate from, and additional to, compensation potentially payable under applicable law. The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust was subsequently established to administer the ex-gratia payments and provide longer-term support.
It is important to distinguish these payments from any final compensation claim.
Families should also take care when completing questionnaires, signing documents, or entering into any agreement concerning compensation. The effect of accepting a payment or signing documentation will depend upon the precise terms involved and the legal framework applicable to the claim.
Obtaining independent legal advice before signing anything that could affect future compensation can therefore be extremely important.
Why Dependency Claims Matter
One of the key themes emerging from the compensation process has been the importance of dependency.
During the early stages, Air India asked families to provide information about their relationship with the deceased and whether they were financially dependent upon them.
Air India publicly stated that this information was being sought to assist with the processing of interim payments and rejected suggestions that the questions were intended to reduce final compensation. It also confirmed that families were free to seek independent legal advice.
Dependency is a vitally important issue when considering a fatal accident claim, especially in the jurisdiction of England and Wales.
Many families naturally focus on immediate financial concerns. However, the law recognises that the loss of a loved one can have far-reaching financial consequences that extend well beyond lost earnings.
A spouse, parent, or family member may have provided:
- Income and financial support;
- Childcare and parenting support;
- Household services and practical assistance;
- Pension and retirement benefits;
- Care for elderly relatives;
- Educational support for children; and
- Assistance to family members both in the UK and overseas.
For many families affected by Air India Flight 171, the most significant aspect of any case is likely to be the dependency claim.
Our expertise lies in helping bereaved families recover compensation that properly reflects the support their loved one would have provided throughout their lifetime.
The Ongoing Investigation
The official investigation into the accident is being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
The investigation remained ongoing at the first anniversary of the accident in June 2026. Whilst a preliminary report has been published, no final report has yet been issued and no definitive conclusions have been reached regarding causation.
There has understandably been considerable public discussion about the preliminary report and speculation about what may ultimately have caused the crash.
The fact that the investigation is approaching its final stages does not, however, mean that families should necessarily wait for the final report before taking legal advice. Legal claims and accident investigations serve different purposes, and important steps may need to be taken to protect legal rights before the investigation is formally concluded.
Why Families Should Not Wait For The Final Investigation Report
One of the most important points for families affected by a major aviation accident is that a compensation claim does not necessarily need to wait for the conclusion of the accident investigation.
The investigation and a civil compensation claim are separate processes.
The purpose of the safety investigation is to establish what happened, determine contributing factors and make recommendations intended to improve aviation safety.
A legal claim has a different purpose: to establish and protect the family’s legal rights and, where appropriate, recover compensation for the losses suffered.
It may therefore be possible, and in some circumstances essential, to take steps in relation to a legal claim while the investigation remains ongoing. This can include:
- identifying the appropriate jurisdiction;
- considering which legal regime applies;
- investigating dependency and financial losses;
- obtaining relevant financial and employment records;
- gathering evidence concerning the deceased and their family;
- reviewing documentation provided by the airline or other parties;
- considering potential defendants and other responsible parties; and
- ensuring that applicable limitation periods are protected.
The Importance of Limitation
International aviation claims can involve strict limitation periods.
Article 35 of the Montreal Convention provides, in general terms, that an action for damages must be brought within two years.
For a flight which was due to arrive at London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, the limitation position is therefore a matter that families should address well before the two-year period expires.
The fact that the official accident investigation may still be continuing does not, by itself, mean that legal limitation periods are suspended.
This is particularly important because an investigation into a major international air disaster can take years. Waiting for the final report before obtaining legal advice could leave a family with insufficient time to investigate the claim, identify the appropriate jurisdiction and take any necessary steps before limitation expires.
Seeking advice early does not necessarily mean that a family has to issue proceedings immediately or commit to litigation.
It means understanding the family’s position early enough to make informed decisions and, where necessary, protect their legal rights.
International Jurisdiction – Bringing a Legal Claim in England
AI171 was an international flight from India to the United Kingdom. That means the question of where a legal claim can be brought can be particularly important.
The Montreal Convention provides an international framework governing liability for international carriage by air, but determining the appropriate jurisdiction and legal route available to an individual family can be complex.
The answer may depend on a number of factors, including the passenger’s place of residence, travel arrangements, the place of departure and intended destination, ticketing arrangements, the airline’s operations and domicile, and the provisions of the Convention itself.
For some families, jurisdiction can have a significant impact on the compensation available and the procedure that applies. Early investigation of these issues can therefore be extremely important.
It should not simply be assumed that the only option is to pursue a claim in India. Equally, it should not be assumed that every family will have exactly the same legal options.
Our Team is Here to Help
Our Air India Flight 171 team is led by Carly Sylvester, Partner and Recommended Personal Injury Lawyer in The Legal 500 2026. Carly has been working closely with Mike Andrews of Beasley Allen and specialist counsel Jerome Silva in relation to claims arising from the Air India disaster.
The team combines expertise in:
- Fatal accident litigation;
- Dependency claims;
- International aviation law;
- Montreal Convention claims;
- Jurisdiction disputes; and
- Complex cross-border litigation.
Many aviation firms understandably focus on aircraft systems, technical investigations, and aviation regulations. While these issues are important, our focus is different.
At the heart of Air India Flight 171 are families who have lost:
- Husbands and wives;
- Parents and grandparents;
- Children;
- Brothers and sisters; and
- Loved ones who provided emotional and financial support.
Our role is to ensure that the legal process reflects that reality.
When we are appointed to deal with your claim, we will immediately consider :
- Limitation: When does the applicable limitation period expire, and what steps may be required to protect the claim?
- Jurisdiction: Can the claim be brought in the jurisdiction of England and Wales?
- Dependency: Who was financially or otherwise dependent upon the deceased, and what financial support would they reasonably have expected to receive in the future?
- Evidence: What financial, employment, pension, tax, medical, and other records should be obtained and preserved?
- Interim payments: What has been paid by Air India or Tata, on what basis, and does any documentation associated with those payments have implications for the wider claim?
- The investigation: How can information emerging from the official investigation be monitored and considered without unnecessarily delaying the legal process?
Slee Blackwell: A Law Firm Families Can Trust
Families affected by a disaster such as Air India Flight AI171 are not simply looking for aviation lawyers.
They are looking for people who will:
- Listen carefully;
- Explain matters clearly;
- Provide honest advice;
- Protect their interests;
- Secure fair compensation; and
- Help safeguard their family’s future.
Slee Blackwell is an award-winning firm of SRA-regulated solicitors recommended by both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. We hold Lexcel accreditation, the Law Society’s quality mark for excellence in client care and practice management, and maintain a 5-star rating on ReviewSolicitors.
Our personal injury and fatal accident department is headed by James McNally, DASLS Solicitor of the Year 2024 and Vice President of the Devon & Somerset Law Society for 2026/27.
By combining specialist fatal accident expertise with leading aviation support and experienced counsel, we are able to provide families with comprehensive advice tailored to their individual circumstances.
