Concorde crash payout 'in sight'

Lawyers for Air France and other companies connected to last year's Concorde crash say they hope to have reached a final out-of-court settlement with families of the victims.

A statement from Air France lawyer Fernand Garnault said that a proposal had been submitted to German lawyers representing the victims.

It did not disclose the amount or mention which other companies were involved.

"The insurers have submitted ... a global proposal, of individual offers of compensation to the families represented by German lawyers, who are going to discuss the terms with their clients," the statement said.

In November, both sides agreed on a partial deal to compensate the families of those who died in the July 25 crash that killed 113 people, mostly German tourists.

At that time, Air France attorneys said they hoped to persuade other parties, including Continental Airlines and Goodyear, to join the talks and reach a "global solution".

German lawyer Gerhart Baum, who represents 75% of the victims' families, said "an agreement is in sight. But it hasn't yet been finished."

Baum said he expected an announcement regarding the settlement would be made within the coming weeks.

The Concorde crame down on to a hotel shortly after take-off from Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport.

Investigators have said they believe a metal strip from a Continental plane that took off on the same runway minutes earlier may have punctured one of the Concorde's Goodyear tyres as it hurtled down the runway.