Airlines

Air France, Airbus face angry families in AF447 crash trial

The crash was caused by a number of circumstances, according to the official inquiry, but the firms dispute any criminal activity.

On Monday, as the two businesses went on trial on manslaughter charges for the 2009 tragedy over the Atlantic Ocean, grieving families of those who died in Air France’s worst-ever crash shouted back at the airline’s and planemaker Airbus’ CEOs.

After the executives took the stand, the courtroom erupted in cries of “Shame!” All 228 passengers aboard the storm-tossed Flight 447 from Rio de Janeiro to Paris died in the tragedy, which also had a long-lasting effect on the industry. As a result, new rules regarding airspeed sensors and pilot training have been implemented.

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The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which has been fought for more than ten years to reach trial, include families from all over the world. The victims were from 33 different nations.

The fact that we advanced to the trial stage is crucial. Thirteen years of waiting is practically cruel “German Bernd Gans, whose daughter Ines died in the collision, remarked. Another man arrived in the court holding a sign that read: “Justice in France. Thirteen years too late.

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The crash was caused by a number of circumstances, according to the official inquiry, but the firms dispute any criminal activity. Pilot error and the icing over of external sensors known as pitot tubes are expected to be the main topics of the two-month testing.

In his opening remarks, Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, said: “I wanted to be here today, first and foremost to speak of my deep respect and deepest sympathy for the victims; loved ones.” Members of the family responded, “Shame on you!” One said, “You have demonstrated contempt for us for 13 years!”

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Already, Air France has made compensation to the victims’ families. Each corporation might be fined up to 225,000 euros (US$219,000) if found guilty, which is a small portion of their yearly earnings. Since only the firms are being tried, nobody faces the possibility of going to jail.

Despite the concerns, Air France is charged with failing to undertake training in the event that the pitot probes ice up. Since then, it has updated its simulations and training materials. The business declared it will argue for acquittal and show in court “that it has not committed a criminal fault at the root of the accident.”

Airbus is charged with knowing that the pitot tube model used on Flight 447 was defective and failing to act quickly to alert airlines, and their crews, and assure training to reduce the risk. The questioned model, a Thales AA pitot, was later outlawed and replaced.

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Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.