Airbus' reliability record

An Airbus 310 plane similar to Ivory Coast crash

Although Airbuses have been involved in a number of major crashes - 11 in 12 years with the loss of more than 1,400 lives - experts say it has a relatively good safety record.

The Airbus 310 - involved in Kenya Airways crash off the Ivory Coast - is made by the European Consortium Airbus Industrie

Airbus manufacturers say their aircraft have an overall reliability of 99%.

Most crashes are attributed to human error rather than a fault with the aircraft.

Airbus facts

Airbus Industrie was set up in 1970

An Airbus aircraft takes off or lands every 10 seconds somewhere in the world

Airbus Industrie has had more than 3,200 firm orders for aircraft during its history

Approximately 1,600 are in service with about 140 operators world-wide.

Airbus Industrie announces 476 firm orders in 1999, increasing the market share to 55%

Steve Clarke, the technical director of Kenya Airways, told a press conference on 31 January the plane had "no technical problems of any significance."

It was the airline's first crash and there was nothing in the service notes to alarm, said Mr Clarke.

The plane was bought new in October 1986 and was being flown by a very experienced pilot who had "many, many hours" in command, said Mr Clarke.

Mr Clarke said Kenya Airways owns three more Airbuses and there were no plans to ground them at the moment.

The airline announced on 28 January it would spend over $750m in the next five years on modernising its fleet - including replacing the A310s with new Boeing 737-300s.

The grim toll - crash history

February 1998: 197 killed when A300 crashed in Taiwan

September 1997: 234 killed when A300 crashed in Indonesia

July 1994: Seven killed when A330 crashed in Toulouse, France, when crew were testing simulated engine failure

April 1994: 259 killed when A300 crashed in Japan.

March 1994: 75 killed when A310 crashed in Siberia

September 1992: 167 killed when A300 crashed in Kathmandu, Nepal

July 1992: 113 killed when A310 crashed in Kathmandu

January 1992: 87 killed when A320 crashed in Strasbourg

February 1990: 90 killed when A320 crashed in Bangalore

June 1988: eight killed when A320 crashed in Habersheim.