Air India has sought to reassure the families of victims of the AI-171 crash that they are under no pressure to accept final compensation before the official investigation is completed. In a letter addressed to Radhika Rupani, daughter of former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, the airline clarified that its compensation offer does not impose any deadline for acceptance and that families are free to wait for the final accident report before making a decision.
The correspondence comes just days before the first anniversary of the June 12, 2025, tragedy, in which 260 people lost their lives after an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on its way to London Gatwick.
Airline responds to concerns raised by Vijay Rupani's daughter
According to NDTV, the clarification follows a letter written by Radhika Rupani to Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran, in which she questioned the compensation process and sought greater transparency regarding the ongoing investigation.
She argued that families were being asked to waive future claims even though the cause of the crash has not yet been officially established. Calling for accountability and closure, she said victims' families deserved answers before making irreversible decisions.
In response, Air India stated that interim financial assistance was introduced solely to address immediate needs in the aftermath of the disaster and was never intended to force families into accepting a final settlement. The airline stressed that those wishing to wait for the investigation findings could do so without affecting their entitlement to compensation.
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Compensation process continues as investigation remains unfinished
According to Air India, nearly all affected families have already received support through interim payments and assistance from the AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust established by the Tata Group. The trust provided financial aid of Rs 1 crore to the most bereaved families, while interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh has been disbursed in the majority of cases.
According to NDTV, the airline said the final compensation process has now begun but acknowledged that negotiations involving additional damages may depend on the conclusions of the official investigation. Under the Montreal Convention, Air India is automatically liable for compensation of approximately Rs 1.5 crore per passenger, with higher payouts possible if negligence is established.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board is continuing its probe into the crash. Sources indicate that a final report is still pending, and investigators may issue an updated preliminary report around the anniversary of the accident.
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Personal belongings returned to affected families
According to NDTV, Air India also outlined efforts undertaken since the crash to support relatives beyond financial compensation. More than 22,000 personal items recovered from the wreckage were catalogued and preserved, with belongings linked to 139 victims already returned to families in India and the United Kingdom.
Investigators also recovered 25 digital devices from the crash site, including mobile phones and laptops. Sixteen of these have been returned after necessary screening procedures were completed.
The airline said senior Tata Group executives have met representatives of 152 affected families across India and the UK over the past year to offer condolences, provide updates and assist with ongoing requirements as the investigation continues.
