Australian MH17 families settle class action against Malaysia Airlines

Five Australian families who had relatives on downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 have settled a class action court case with the airline for a confidential figure. The families had 7 relatives on the flight which was shot down over Ukraine by a Russian missile July 17, 2014, killing all 298 people on board. Wednesday, the court approved a settlement between the parties – who had previously participated in two mediations – shortly before the case was due to proceed to a hearing. The court was told the amount of money was "fair". Barrister John Rowe, who appeared for the families in court, said the money will be distributed "in the very near future". A spokesperson for the post accident office at Malaysian Airline System Berhad said the company was pleased settlement had been achieved with the families involved. <br/>