New Delhi, June 14, 2025 — A shocking claim emerged recently from the kin of three victims of the June 12 Air India Flight AI‑171 tragedy: they allege that an immigration officer at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport asked them to pay £1,000—roughly ₹1.16 lakh—before boarding a flight to London with their deceased family members' documents.
However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has publicly refuted this account, stating that no such fee is required or ever demanded under current guidelines. According to the clarification, existing visa rules and immigration procedures stipulate fees only for new applications—not for travel linked to a crash or posthumous repatriation. The MHA emphasized that all documentation related to deceased passengers traveling back to the UK is processed free of charge .
What the Relatives Claimed
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A family member of three victims said they were informed by an immigration officer that they’d need to pay £1,000 specifically due to a child’s documents, in order to board the repatriation flight (hindustantimes.com).
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They described this demand as an abrupt and distressing blow while grappling with the loss of loved ones.
Government’s Formal Response
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The MHA’s clarification confirms that visa fees don’t apply in cases of repatriating remains, regardless of age or number of payrolls involved.
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The Ministry stressed the importance of differentiating between standard visa issuance and the repatriation of deceased individuals.
Broader Context: Air India’s Financial Support
In the aftermath of India's worst civil aviation disaster in recent history:
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Tata Sons, Air India’s parent company, pledged ₹1 crore to each deceased passenger’s family (hindustantimes.com, m.economictimes.com).
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Air India followed with an interim payment of ₹25 lakh to families—plus aid to the sole survivor—to help meet urgent needs (hindustantimes.com).
Ongoing Investigation & Safety Checks
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The Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner involved in the crash was last subject to comprehensive maintenance (C‑check) in June 2023, with another due in December 2025. Its right‑side engine underwent an overhaul in March 2025, while the left engine received scheduled inspection in April 2025 (m.economictimes.com).
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandated safety inspections across Air India’s 787 fleet and has so far inspected nine aircraft, continuing the checks as required (m.economictimes.com).
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The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting a formal investigation into the crash, combining black-box analysis, flight data, and witness testimony.
Bottom Line
While families of the victims faced unprecedented grief, official sources now affirm no additional visa-related charges should have been demanded for travel tied to the crash. Immigration processes in such contexts are covered under government protocols and should be exempt from extra fees.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information publicly available as of June 14, 2025. The claims regarding visa fees were addressed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Should new official reports or corrections emerge, further updates will be provided.
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