Airbus blames pilot error.
Airbus and Air France went on trial on manslaughter charges in Paris today over the crash of a Rio de Janeiro to Paris flight in 2009.
It plunged into the Atlantic amid thunderstorms, killing all 228 people on board and leading to changes in air safety regulations.
Three Irish women were among the 228 people who died as a result of the crash 13 years ago.
They were friends 27 year old Jane Deasy from Rathgar in Dublin , 26 year old Aisling Butler from Roscrea In County Tipperary and 28 year old Eithne Walls from Ballygowan in County Down.
Families of the victims, from 33 countries are among the plaintiffs in the case. They fought for more than a decade to see the case come to trial.
Both companies deny criminal wrongdoing, though Air France has already compensated the families of those killed.
If convicted, each company faces potential fines of up to 225,000 euros a fraction of their annual revenues.
No-one risks prison as only the companies are on trial.
The plane disappeared from radar over the Atlantic Ocean between Brazil and Senegal.
Air France said it will demonstrate in court 'that it has not committed a criminal fault at the origin of the accident' and plead for acquittal.
Airbus blames pilot error.
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