Airbus and Air France Acquitted in AF447 Crash Trial

French Court Dismisses Charges Against Companies

Paris, April 17, 2023

A French court has acquitted European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and French airline Air France of criminal charges related to the 2009 crash of Flight AF447, which killed 228 people.

The verdict, delivered on Monday, April 17, 2023, ends a long and complex legal battle that has lasted over a decade. Prosecutors had accused both companies of manslaughter, alleging that they had failed to take proper measures to address safety concerns with the aircraft.

However, the court found that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Airbus or Air France had acted negligently. The court also noted that the aircraft had been certified as safe by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and that the airline had followed all of the recommended maintenance procedures.

The crash of Flight AF447, which was en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris, remains one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history. The aircraft disappeared from radar screens over the Atlantic Ocean, and its wreckage was not recovered until two years later.

The trial, which began in September 2022, has been closely watched by the aviation industry and the families of the victims. The verdict is a significant victory for both Airbus and Air France, and it is likely to have a major impact on future aviation safety litigation.