Paris court set to deliver verdict in Swiftair trial over 2014 Air Algérie crash
A Paris judicial panel will announce its decision on Monday regarding Swiftair's criminal trial linked to the 2014 Air Algérie disaster that killed 116 people.
The criminal case against Spanish carrier Swiftair concerning the 2014 Air Algérie Flight 5017 crash is slated for a verdict on Monday at the Batignolles judicial court in Paris. The accident, which occurred about fifty minutes after departure from Ouagadougou and claimed 116 lives, involved an aircraft leased by Swiftair that was flying to Algiers. Evidence indicated that the crew did not engage the anti-icing system, leading to ice buildup that blocked pressure sensors and caused an automatic power reduction.
Subsequent pilot actions, including an incorrect control input, deepened the stall before the plane crashed in Mali. The investigation also revealed that Swiftair pilots received limited training and experienced long periods of inactivity. The trial, opened in March 2026, featured prosecutors demanding the highest possible fine, while the defence attributed the tragedy to external factors. The forthcoming judgment will determine Swiftair's criminal responsibility.
