Aviation: Russian airline demands compensation from Ukraine for 2001 tragedy

Sibir Air Company of Russia is demanding compensation from Ukraine, for the plane that was brought down over the Black Sea in October 2001. The amount of compensation being sought is reported to be $15 million. This includes the value of the plane as well as other expenses and profit loss.

The Sibir airliner was on a chartered flight from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk, when it disappeared from radar screens. The airline reported that 78 people, including 12 crew members, were onboard. Almost half the seats were not taken. The BBC reported that the overwhelming majority of passengers were citizens of Israel and fifteen of Russia.

In December last year, Ukraine paid $7.8 million to Russia for relatives of the victims. Israel received $7.5 million.