However, Another Solution Was Found Before Money Changed Hands

Passengers on an Air France flight to Beirut that was diverted to Damascus Wednesday were reportedly asked to help pay for fuel before the flight could continue, but an alternative solutions was found before any money changed hands.

The flight was diverted because of activity on the airport road in Beirut which broke out Wednesday. The plane initially tried to reach Amman, Jordan, but that plan was scrapped for unspecified reasons. The plane then needed fuel before it could continue to Cyprus.

The plane landed in Syria, according to a report appearing in the French news service AFP. Air France stopped flying to Damascus in March because of unrest in Syria, and the airline has no account with the airport for the purchase of fuel.

An Air France employee who was not authorized to talk to the media told the news service that the crew initially offered to pay for the fuel with company credit cards, but were unable to do so because of economic sanctions against the Syria.

The employee did not say how the fuel for the B777 was paid for, but the flight did eventually continue to the Greek city of Larnaca after the unscheduled two-hour stop in Damascus.

(File photo Air France Boeing 777)

FMI: www.airfrance.com