afrol News, 24 November - 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.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories