Air France and Airbus convicted over 2009 crash
A Paris court has convicted Air France and Airbus of corporate negligent homicide in the deaths of 228 people linked to Air France Flight AF447. The flight, en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris in 2009, crashed into the Atlantic after encountering a storm. All 228 passengers and crew were killed, making it the deadliest aviation disaster in France’s history. The legal case has lasted 17 years and included multiple reversals.
In 2023, the companies were acquitted, but victims’ families appealed. The plaintiffs argued that Airbus and Air France were at fault due to issues including inadequate pilot training and a failure to properly respond to earlier similar incidents.
The Court of Appeal has now overturned the acquittal, finding both companies responsible and stating they are “exclusively and fully responsible” for the crash. Both Air France and Airbus were ordered to pay the maximum fine for corporate negligent homicide, €225,000 each.
Families of the victims criticized the fine as merely symbolic, though they said the conviction represents recognition of their suffering. Some families also said they plan to appeal again in pursuit of higher compensation.
