Originally Posted by Dengue_Dude
Who pays for this extra search, come to that, who's paid up to now?
The present search (Phase 4) is funded by Air France and Airbus, probably equally.
The Phase 3 search (Spring of 2010) was also funded by AF and AB.
I'm not sure who paid for the Phase 2 sonar search by the Pourquoi Pas? in August of 2009.
The Phase 1 search, immediately after the accident was likely paid for by several governments, mainly France and Brazil.
If the site of the wreck is found, then there will be a Phase 5 recovery that will be paid for by France through BEA:
The New Undersea Search Campaign
I'm sure others will correct or clarify any of this.