Air India Faces Backlash Over Alleged Mistreatment of Flight 171 Crash Victims’ Families

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

LONDON — Air India is facing intense criticism over its alleged treatment of families affected by the deadly crash of Flight 171, after a leading aviation lawyer described the airline’s behaviour as “ethically outrageous.”

Peter Neenan, partner at the UK-based law firm Stewarts, which represents several victims’ families, accused Air India of pressuring relatives to complete complex financial forms in distressing conditions, under the false pretext that compensation would be withheld otherwise.

Speaking to the media, Neenan said families were placed in an overcrowded, stifling room just days after the June 12 crash, where they were asked to fill out lengthy questionnaires without legal counsel or copies of their documents. Some Air India officials, he claimed, even visited victims’ homes to question why forms had not yet been submitted.

“These families have already suffered unimaginable grief, and to be treated in this way — potentially saving the airline over £100 million by under-compensating them — is truly horrifying,” Neenan said, calling for a formal investigation.

Under international aviation laws, airlines are required to make immediate advance payments to families entitled to compensation, needing only proof of identity and a simple receipt. Yet, Neenan claims Air India insisted that forms detailing financial and dependency information were mandatory before any payments would be released.

One grieving relative, who lost their mother in the tragedy, described the experience as humiliating:

“They had us fill out the questionnaire in a crowded, overheated corridor with no privacy or explanation. We were told no compensation would come without these details. It was deeply unprofessional and showed no compassion.”

In response, an Air India spokesperson rejected the allegations as “unsubstantiated and inaccurate,” stating the airline prioritizes “the support and welfare of the families impacted by this tragic incident.”

“We made the questionnaire as simple as possible to ensure compensation reaches the right people swiftly,” the spokesperson said, adding that interim payments were being processed within days of the accident to address immediate financial needs.

Air India further insisted it was offering families “all the time and flexibility” required, while acknowledging that “some formal processes must be followed” to complete compensation arrangements.

Flight 171 crashed earlier this month with devastating consequences, sparking global concern about the airline’s safety and emergency response practices. While Air India continues its payout efforts, legal experts warn that the airline could face further scrutiny if the allegations of mistreatment are substantiated.

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