British Airways And Manchester Airport Apologise For Loss Suffered By Survivors And Families

The survivors of the 1985 Manchester Air Disaster and the families who lost loved ones received an apology from Manchester Airport and British Airways (BA) on the 30^th anniversary of the tragic event.

Fifty-five people lost their lives when they were exposed to toxic smoke when an engine of a British Airtours jet bound for Corfu caught fire.

British Airways apologised at an event held to mark the 30^th anniversary of the disaster at Manchester Airport on Saturday (22 August). The company said the apology was "for their loss" and the "memories they have had to live with over the past 30 years".

Survivors and families in attendance were pleased that both BA and Manchester Airport had apologised for the disaster. A new memorial will also be installed at the airport for the victims.

An investigation following the fire and rescue operation found the disaster was caused by a series of failures. The disaster led to a number of significant improvements in aircraft safety, emergency service protocols and the way legal claims related to airline accidents were handled.

Geraldine McCool, a Partner and expert aviation lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who attended the remembrance events on Saturday and was involved in securing compensation for those affected by the disaster, said:

Expert Opinion

"The apology received by the survivors and families who lost loved ones in the Manchester Airport tragedy is no doubt a huge relief for them.

“Apologies following disasters like this are often very significant for families and can have a huge effect even 30 years after the event.

“The recognition of the loss families suffered and the memories survivors have had to cope with since the disaster by both BA and Manchester Airport is a very significant step for all those involved.” Geraldine McCool - Consultant

The apology and memorial were announced by William Beckett, a family member and tireless campaigner for aviation safety through SciSafe, an organisation set up after the Manchester Air Disaster that became a founder member of Disaster Action.