Air France fined for discrimination

Airline refused passenger who was flying to Israel for a pro-Palestine protest

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AIR France has been ordered to pay €13,000 for turning away a passenger heading from Nice to Tel Aviv for a pro-Palestinian rally.

Horia Ankour was asked shortly before takeoff whether she was Israeli or a Jew. When she replied no to both questions she was told she could not fly.

Air France said it discovered at the last minute that the passenger was on a list of names who would be turned away by Israeli authorities on arrival - and it decided to act before takeoff.

The incident happened in April 2012 when hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists sought to fly to Israel and then make their way to the occupied West Bank.

The court said it was wrong for the airline to have discriminated against her.

The airline was ordered to pay a €10,000 fine and €3,000 in damages. Air France says it will appeal.

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