BA Hostages Launch Legal Fight Over 1990 Gulf War Siege
More than 30 years after a terrifying hostage ordeal on British Airways Flight 149, survivors are suing the UK government and the airline. Represented by McCue Jury and Partners, the brave passengers and crew demand justice and fat compensation for their nightmare.
Flight 149 Caught in Gulf War Hell
On August 2, 1990, as Iraq invaded Kuwait to start the Gulf War, Flight 149 landed at Kuwait International Airport. Over 300 souls were taken hostage by Iraqi troops and held for nearly five months as “human shields” under Saddam Hussein’s orders.
Government and Airline Accused of Cover-Up
London has insisted Iraq alone is to blame while British Airways claimed ignorance of the invasion. But in a bombshell 2021 leak, officials revealed the British ambassador warned the Foreign Office of the Iraqi assault an hour before the plane landed. This vital intel was never passed on to BA, making it impossible to divert the flight in time.
McCue Jury and Partners believe both the UK gov and airline knew about the invasion and deliberately allowed the landing for a hush-hush “special military operation.” Their High Court lawsuit could see each hostage awarded around £170,000.
Survivors Demand Truth and Justice
“The lives and safety of innocent civilians were sacrificed by the British government and British Airways for the sake of an off-the-books military operation. Both have concealed and denied the truth for more than 30 years,” said Matthew Jury, managing partner at McCue Jury and Partners. “These victims deserve justice for being treated as disposable collateral.”
Many hostages suffer PTSD after witnessing brutality. Passenger Barry Manners slammed the handling, saying: “We were not treated as citizens, but as expendable pawns for commercial and political gain. Winning this case will help restore trust in our political and judicial systems.”
Official Responses Stick to Iraq Blame
The UK government condemned the Iraqi invasion and abuse but insists Iraq alone is responsible. British Airways sympathised but stood by its claim that it had no warning about the invasion, citing the same 2021 documents.
