Air India Disburses Interim Compensation to Ahmedabad Crash Victims' Families
Air India has paid interim compensation to the families of 166 people killed in last month's Ahmedabad plane crash. The airline is providing ₹25 lakh to the next of kin for each of the 260 victims, which included 241 of the 242 people on board flight AI171 and 19 on the ground. Payments for another 52 victims' families are being processed. The Tata Group has also established a memorial and welfare trust dedicated to the victims.
Unpacked:
The Air India flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad is under investigation, but initial reports suggest technical failure during landing led to the disaster. The crash is considered one of the worst aviation incidents in India in decades, resulting in 241 deaths onboard and 19 fatalities on the ground.
The ₹25 lakh interim compensation is an advance payment to help families meet immediate needs. This amount will be adjusted against any final compensation determined later, meaning the final payment may include additional sums or be settled based on legal and regulatory guidelines.
The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust, established by the Tata Group, manages a ₹500 crore fund. It provides ex-gratia payments of ₹1 crore to each deceased passenger’s family, supports rebuilding damaged infrastructure like the BJ Medical College Hostel, and offers aid to first responders and disaster relief personnel affected by the crash.
Compensation is delayed for some families due to legal verification and documentation processes. Each claim must be carefully reviewed to prevent future disputes, making the process time-consuming, especially given the large number of victims and the complexities involved in verifying next of kin.