- A charter flight from the Gambian capital Banjul today made an emergency landing in Senegal after the crew discovered that the plane ran out of fuel. Captain John Lawrence of First Choice Airways had to pay for it.
The Boeing 757 flight was not able to find supplies of fuel in Banjul International Airport.
In Dakar, Mr Lawrence was forced to drain his pocket as well as raid the plane's bar takings to settle 2,000 Pound Sterling demanded by Dakar airport officials before the plane was allowed to fly.
While the captain struggled to settle the money as well as change it into local CFA currency, passengers became trapped in the plane for three hours before it took off. This delay forced the flight to divert its route from Bristol to Cardiff International Airport.
After refuelling was completed, officials at Dakar made unexpected demands for more money.
"It was an interesting few hours but the passengers were great. I made the announcements about what was happening from inside the cabin and they were cheering," Captain Lawrence told 'Western Mail'.
"If it had got any worse, I would probably have had to go through the cabin with a hat asking for donations."
Passengers commended the captain for acting wonderfully in very difficult circumstances.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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