Airblue Flight 202 Ruling: Court Orders Rs5.41 Billion Payout to Victims

The District and Sessions Court Islamabad issued a landmark ruling. It ordered the private carrier Airblue to pay over Rs5.41 billion in plane crash compensation. This decision relates to the tragic Airblue Flight 202 compensation case from 2010. The court dismissed all eight appeals filed by the airline. This final adjudication grants substantial civil claims for damages. Additional District and Sessions Judge Dr. Rasool Bakhsh Meraj delivered the detailed written verdict. The ruling is a significant development in the decade-long legal battle.

Background: Airblue Flight 202

The incident involved Airblue Flight 202 on July 28, 2010. The domestic flight was traveling from Karachi to Islamabad. The Airbus A321-231 aircraft struck the Margalla Hills. This occurred during its final approach to the former Benazir Bhutto International Airport. All 152 people on board perished in the disaster.

Investigations by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) classified the crash as a Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). The probe cited pilot error and violation of safety procedures. Descent below the safe altitude was a key factor. Poor cockpit resource management was also noted. The findings highlight the critical need for strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in adverse weather. This case has long been a key topic in commercial aviation news [https://flying.flights].

Legal Precedent and Compensation

The Islamabad District Court verdict dismissed the airline's eight appeals. The court also upheld eight appeals filed by the victims' families. Victims had initially challenged an earlier decision. That decision capped partial compensation at Rs10 million per individual. The new aviation accident liability ruling significantly increased the compensation.

• The court awarded compensation exceeding Rs5.41 billion in total.
• Specific awards included Rs1.101 billion for Mohammad Ilyas.
• Junaid Alzaman Hamid was awarded Rs996.048 million.
• Retired Colonel Shamim Akhtar received Rs606 million.

Furthermore, the court imposed a fine of Rs8 million on Airblue. This fine was for filing unnecessary appeals and wasting judicial time. The penalty was Rs1 million for each dismissed appeal.

Financial and Industry Impact

This judgment sets a powerful air disaster legal precedent in Pakistan. It underscores the airline financial liability for catastrophic accidents. The ruling confirms that carriers must be held accountable for negligence.

The substantial compensation amount sends a clear message to the industry. It reinforces the importance of safety compliance. Airlines must manage financial risk related to civil claims. This is particularly true in cases of confirmed crew error. The decision aligns with global efforts by bodies like ICAO. These efforts aim to ensure fair and timely compensation for victims. The final verdict provides closure for the affected families. It also serves as a strong reminder of the Rs5.41 billion plane crash compensation cost of non-compliance.