Flydubai Passengers Face Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit After Hijacking Scare
Passengers from a recent flydubai hijacking attempt could receive up to $250,000 each in compensation under the Montreal Convention, according to aviation legal experts.
An attempted hijacking on a recent flydubai flight to Israel has left 174 Israeli passengers facing potential legal battles that could yield up to $250,000 per person, even in the absence of direct physical injury. Aviation experts and legal specialists are actively reviewing options under the Montreal Convention.
Legal Framework and Precedents
Attorneys point to established international frameworks and historical Israeli precedents to evaluate potential claims. Under the Montreal Convention, airlines can be held liable for accidents occurring on board or during boarding and deplaning. Furthermore, Israeli jurisprudence has long recognized psychological trauma as a compensable injury stemming from aviation incidents.
The hijacking of the Air France flight to Entebbe is considered an action within the framework of air transport... The damage caused to the passengers, even if purely psychological, constitutes bodily injury resulting from an accident.
Compensation Caps and Challenges
While the legal path is open, securing compensation is not automatic. Claims require establishing a direct causal link between the onboard incident and the sustained psychological or physical distress. Compensation limits are calculated using Special Drawing Rights (SDR), holding airlines strictly liable up to approximately 151,880 SDR, equivalent to roughly 630,000 NIS.
As legal teams begin organizing potential class actions, the incident could evolve into a multi-million-dollar liability for the airline, testing the boundaries of international aviation law regarding psychological damages.
