Ontario, Canada: The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld a ruling that Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) must compensate the families of Flight PS752 victims without being bound by the liability cap of US $180,000 per passenger.
In its August 12, 2025 decision, the appellate court confirmed the findings of the Ontario Superior Court, which concluded that UIA acted negligently by allowing the January 8, 2020 flight to operate despite escalating military tensions in the region. This negligence removes the standard compensation limit set under the Montreal Convention.
On Jan 8, 2020, Flight PS752, a Boeing 737-800, departed Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport shortly after 6 a.m. local time. Minutes later, it was struck by two surface-to-air missiles launched by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), killing all 176 people on board, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents. The downing took place hours after Iran had fired missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq.
The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims welcomed the ruling, stating that it ensures the airline is held accountable for its actions, while emphasizing that Iran and the IRGC remain responsible for the attack.
The judgment means UIA faces the possibility of paying significantly higher compensation than the usual limit. Lawyers for the families described the ruling as a landmark decision that reinforces the duty of airlines to evaluate risks when operating in or near conflict zones.
UIA had appealed a 2024 ruling from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice that found the carrier negligent for operating flights out of Tehran during a period of extreme tension between Iran and the U.S. The airline admitted it had a duty of care for the passengers and crew of Flight 752 but argued that its actions did not lead to the occupants’ damages.
Ongoing legal actions against Iran continue in international courts, including the International Court of Justice and the International Civil Aviation Organization, as Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Ukraine seek accountability.
