An Islamabad district court has ordered Rs5.4 billion (Rs5,415.084 million) in compensation to the families of eight victims of the 2010 Airblue Flight 202 crash, the deadliest aviation disaster in Pakistan’s history. The ruling, issued by the Court of the Additional District Judge-III (West) Dr. Rasool Bukhsh Mirjat, upheld the airline’s liability and dismissed an appeal filed by Airblue, also imposing a Rs1 million penalty for delaying the legal proceedings.
Airblue Flight 202, en route from Karachi to Islamabad, crashed into the Margalla Hills on July 28, 2010, killing all 152 people on board — including 146 passengers and six crew members — as the aircraft attempted to land amid adverse weather.
Investigations by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) classified the crash as a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), citing pilot error — including descent below the safe altitude and deviation from standard procedures in low visibility along with poor cockpit resource management and challenging weather conditions. Subsequent observations also pointed to errors by air traffic control contributing to the unsafe conditions.
The compensation award marks a significant milestone in a legal battle that has spanned more than a decade, with families of victims seeking accountability and fair relief after prolonged litigation. Legal experts have noted that the judgment could establish an important precedent for aviation liability and compensation cases in Pakistan.