Kozhikode plane crash: One year on, victims' families still waiting for compensation

Kozhikode/Malappuram: As many as 21 lives were lost and about a hundred were injured in the air mishap at the Kozhikode International Airport in Karipur near here on August 7 last year, but neither the investigation report by the Civil Aviation authorities is out nor the compensation to the victims was paid.

It was a year ago that the Air India Express AXB1344, B737 Dubai to Calicut, with 191 souls on board, met with an accident after landing Runway 10 of Karipur Airport. One-hundred and seventy-four passengers and ten infants, two pilots and five cabin crew were on board.

The undue delay in payment of compensation is witnessed despite the Kerala High Court directing the Air India Express authorities to expedite the proceedings. The High Court had given the direction on a petition filed by a legal heir of one of the victims who died in the accident.

The Air India Express sources say the delay in the probe report is playing spoilsport as the insurers would release the amount only on getting the report. Not only that, the ill-fated aircraft is adequately insured and in addition is said to have been re-insured with a foreign insurance firm, it was pointed out by the Air India Express authorities, adding that due compensation would be paid at the appropriate time.

However, the lack of an investigation report is said to be playing spoilsport in releasing the compensation by the Insurance companies. Sources in civil aviation said the insurance companies would release the claims only after they receive the survey and the investigation reports.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau had visited the accident spot a few weeks after the accident but was yet to table a report on the mishap. The investigation report is also crucial for the airport, where the operations of bigger aircraft have been suspended consequent to the accident.

The expansion programmes of the table-top airport would highly depend on the report of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), The people representatives and the Gulf expatriates are also anxiously awaiting the report which would make or mar the airport. (UNI)