Germanwings crash families file lawsuit against German government

Thirty relatives of the 150 victims of the 2015 Germanwings Airbus A320 crash in the French Alps have filed a lawsuit against the German state. They allege that the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Federal Aviation Office failed to properly assess co‑pilot Andreas Lubitz’s medical fitness, allowing him to fly despite a known psychiatric condition. The plaintiffs seek up to €110,000 in compensation per victim plus damages for emotional suffering.

The case is being heard by the Braunschweig Regional Court, with the first hearing scheduled for 28 August. German courts have previously dismissed similar claims against Lufthansa, the airline’s parent company, and may consider the airline also liable. Legal experts say the families’ chances of success are limited, but the suit underscores ongoing concerns about pilot health monitoring and state responsibility for aviation safety.