BA ordered to pay $1.9m compensation
British Airways has been forced to pay $1.9m in compensation to seven French passengers taken hostage in Kuwait in the first Gulf War.
The British Airways flight landed in Kuwait after the start of hostilities. Many passengers were taken hostage and forced to act as human shields with many being held for a period of months.
The seven passengers have always alleged that the plane stopped to offload British Special Forces into Kuwait, an allegation that has always been denied by the British government and BA.
BA contested the case claiming that the stop for refueling was scheduled, and that the invasion was an act of war and could not have been foreseen.
The French court however disagreed and said that BA had failed to uphold its responsibilities.
