The plane was operated by Lufthansa's Germanwings, a budget airline. Distress signals were sent out over the French Alps at 10:45 this morning.
According to news reports, a French military helicopter located the wreckage of the plane near the French town of Barcelonnette.
The plane crashed at 2,700 metres altitude in the Alps.
It is not believed that there are any survivors.
The plane was carrying at least 144 passengers, two pilots and four flight attendants.
Most of the passengers are believed to be Spanish.
The cause of the crash is not yet clear.
The aircraft was built in 1991 and operated by Lufthansa and Germanwings.
The aircraft was built in 1991 and operated by Lufthansa and Germanwings.
The Airbus A320 plane was operated by Lufthansa's Germanwings budget airline. Generic image
