The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) welcomes yesterday's ruling by the Paris Appeals Court finding Airbus and Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter over the 2009 crash of Flight AF447.
We stand in full solidarity with our French affiliates and the families of the 228 victims who have fought for justice for 17 years. This verdict matters: it makes clear that responsibility for this disaster lay with the companies - not the crew.
"For years, Airbus and Air France sought to place blame on the flight crew," said Bilal Malkawi, ITF Director of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
The evidence showed both companies were aware of problems with the aircraft's speed sensors months before the crash and failed to act. Crews were not given the training or information they needed. That is a management failure, not a crew failure."
The decision by both companies to appeal once again is deeply disappointing. The ITF echo the call of victims' families to stop prolonging this ordeal.
Photo credit: Reuters
