Syrian Arab Airlines at Athens (LGAV ATH) 21/01/2014

[thunderstreak]

YK-AYE appeared all of a sudden here in Athens for a refuel stop. The plane was carrying a Syrian delegation with the Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem bound to attend the scheduled meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Montreux, Switzerland on the eve of the beginning of Geneva 2 peace talks. The ground handling company refused to supply fuel due to EU sanctions / trade embargo against Syria. The Greek Foreign Ministry had to intervene to settle the conflict but this had resulted in 5 hours delay.


Here it is seen while taxing late afternoon (17:20L) for take-off from 21R.