On December 5, 2025, the Beijing Chaoyang District People’s Court issued a significant first-instance judgment, requiring Malaysia Airlines to compensate the families of eight passengers aboard the missing Flight MH370. This ruling is a crucial step in the long-running legal battle following the disappearance of the aircraft over a decade ago. The court mandated the airline to pay over 2.9 million yuan (approximately $408,000 USD) to the family of each of the eight passengers for compensation, covering death benefits, funeral expenses, and damages for emotional distress, among other costs.
Decade-Long Legal Pursuit
The ruling addresses eight lawsuits selected from a larger group initiated by relatives of the 239 passengers and crew who vanished on March 8, 2014. The Boeing 777, operating as Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, lost contact with air traffic control at 1:22 a.m. local time while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. In January 2015, the Malaysian government officially declared the disappearance an accident, presuming all individuals onboard had perished.
Since 2016, relatives representing 75 missing passengers filed lawsuits against both Malaysia Airlines and Malaysia International Airlines, seeking financial compensation and the establishment of a dedicated fund for search and recovery efforts. A total of 78 cases were filed with the Chaoyang court.
Applying International and Domestic Law
Before this judgment, the court oversaw extensive mediation efforts that resulted in 47 cases reaching confidential settlements, which were subsequently withdrawn by the plaintiffs.
The eight cases recently adjudicated focused specifically on passengers who had been legally declared deceased by their families. In its decision, the court applied the principles of the Montreal Convention, an international treaty governing air carrier liability, in conjunction with relevant Chinese domestic law. The judgment clearly established the financial responsibility of both Malaysia Airlines and its subsidiary, Malaysia International Airlines, for the tragic loss of life. These mandated payments cover comprehensive damages, including indemnities for loss of life and general damages related to the profound emotional toll experienced by the families.
Outstanding Cases and Future Implications
While this ruling provides financial resolution for eight families, the legal process is far from over. According to court records, 23 additional cases remain pending before the Chaoyang court.
The continuation of these cases largely depends on the plaintiffs completing the necessary legal steps to formally declare their missing relatives deceased—a prerequisite for seeking final settlements and compensation under the applicable legal frameworks. This decision sets a vital precedent for the remaining claims, underscoring the legal accountability of the airline and offering a definitive measure of compensation for the plaintiffs.
Legal experts suggest that this high-profile ruling highlights the complexities involved in adjudicating cases stemming from unprecedented aviation disasters, particularly when issues of international law and deeply personal emotional distress intersect. Moving forward, the focus will remain on the completion of the 23 outstanding cases and the enduring impact this legal action has on the airline industry’s standards for transparency and accountability.