Understanding The Ontario Court Decision On UIA Flight PS752 Tragedy

In a poignant ruling from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the case of S. v. Ukraine International Airlines JSC (2024 ONSC 3303) addressed the tragic shoot down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 by Iran shortly after takeoff from Tehran on January 8, 2020. The incident killed all 176 passengers and crew aboard the airplane, many of whom were Canadians. 

The case dealt with whether the airline could be held liable for the incident. 

Background of the Incident

Flight PS752 was en route from Tehran to Kyiv when it was hit by two surface-to-air missiles launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The incident occurred amidst escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran, notably following the U.S. airstrike that killed Major General Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian military commander.