The families of British victims killed in the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad, India, are preparing to file lawsuits against Air India and aircraft manufacturer Boeing in British courts, seeking enhanced compensation for their profound losses. The tragic incident, which claimed the lives of 241 of the 242 passengers and crew aboard the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, along with at least 34 people on the ground, has sparked international outrage and scrutiny, with legal experts suggesting the case could set a precedent for aviation liability across jurisdictions.
The Tragedy of Flight AI 171
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171, en route from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to London Gatwick, crashed mere seconds after takeoff, plunging into the hostel complex of B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, issued a mayday call reporting a loss of thrust before erupting into a fireball upon impact. Among the 242 people on board, only one passenger, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, survived, sustaining serious injuries. The crash also killed 34 individuals on the ground, including medical students, and injured at least 60 others, marking it as India’s deadliest aviation disaster since 1996 and the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011.
Of the passengers, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British, seven were Portuguese, and one was Canadian. The 52 British nationals among the deceased, including families, students, and professionals, have left their loved ones grappling with grief and a quest for justice. The sole survivor, Ramesh, seated in 11A, described the harrowing experience to India’s DD News, stating, “I still cannot believe how I made it out alive.”
Legal Action in British Courts
According to sources, the UK-based families of the victims are consulting with Keystone Law, a prominent London-based firm, to explore legal action against Air India and Boeing. The lawsuits, expected to be filed in the London High Court under English law, aim to secure compensation significantly higher than the amounts initially offered by Air India and its parent company, the Tata Group. Legal experts indicate that the families may also consider filing claims in U.S. federal courts, particularly against Boeing, depending on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
The Tata Group announced an ex gratia payment of ₹1 crore (approximately £86,000 or $120,000) per victim shortly after the crash, later supplemented by an interim payment of ₹25 lakh (approximately £21,000) from Air India to address immediate financial needs. However, under the Montreal Convention of 1999, a global treaty ratified by both India and the UK, families are entitled to a minimum compensation of around ₹15 million (approximately $180,000) per deceased passenger, with the potential for significantly higher payouts if negligence or technical faults are established.
Keystone Law’s International Aviation team, led by partners James Healy-Pratt and Owen Hanna, is working alongside the U.S.-based Wisner Law Firm, known for its involvement in the 2020 Air India Express crash litigation. The legal team is advising families to avoid accepting early settlement offers from Air India’s insurer, Tata AIG, without independent legal counsel, warning that such settlements could limit their ability to pursue full compensation. “Our top priority is securing truth and justice for the families,” Healy-Pratt told The Economic Times.
Posts on X reflect growing public awareness of the legal efforts, with some users noting that the case could have far-reaching implications for aviation liability. One post stated, “Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for aviation liability across borders.”
Grounds for Litigation
The lawsuits are expected to focus on potential negligence or technical failures by Air India, Boeing, or both. Preliminary investigations suggest that the aircraft’s emergency power system was activated just before impact, possibly indicating an engine or hydraulic failure during takeoff—a rare but serious issue in commercial aviation. The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, both recovered from the crash site, are under analysis by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and UK investigators. The pilot’s final words, a series of “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” calls reporting “thrust not achieved,” have intensified speculation about mechanical issues.
Boeing, which has faced scrutiny over safety practices in recent years, including incidents involving its 737 Max fleet, has pledged full cooperation with the investigation. The 787 Dreamliner involved in the crash, delivered to Air India in 2014, was 11 years old and had completed over 700 flights in the past year. While the model had an exemplary safety record until this incident, whistleblower allegations about Boeing’s manufacturing practices have raised concerns among victims’ families.
Air India, meanwhile, has faced regulatory challenges since its 2022 acquisition by the Tata Group, including fines from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for safety and service lapses. The DGCA has ordered enhanced safety inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet, focusing on fuel systems, engine controls, and takeoff parameters, as a precautionary measure.
Under the Montreal Convention, families can pursue claims in jurisdictions where the airline operates or where victims have ties, making British courts a viable venue given Air India’s operations in the UK and the significant number of British victims. If negligence is proven, Air India and Boeing could face “unlimited liability,” with claims potentially exceeding the $1.5 billion in liability insurance held by Air India and the $4 billion in combined coverage for both companies.
Challenges and Emotional Toll
The legal process is compounded by the emotional and logistical challenges faced by the families. The identification of victims has been slow due to the intense heat of the crash, estimated at 1,500°C, which severely damaged remains. As of June 15, DNA testing had identified 119 victims, with 76 bodies handed over to families. Relatives, such as Rinal Christian, whose brother was the sole breadwinner for their family, have expressed frustration over delays, telling AFP, “It’s been four days and we haven’t received any response.”
In the UK, families of British victims, including the relatives of Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter Sara, have voiced feelings of abandonment, calling for greater support from the UK government. A multi-faith vigil held outside the Indian High Commission in London underscored the community’s collective grief.
