Overview

• Vueling Airlines continues to defend removing about 50 French Jewish teenagers from flight VY8166 on safety grounds, citing alleged tampering with life vests and aircraft oxygen equipment.
• Jewish organizations demand documentary evidence of any safety violations as the teens and their counselors remain stranded in Valencia awaiting alternative travel.
• Disclosure that Captain Iván Chirivella instructed Mohamed Atta and Marwan al-Shehhi and was previously investigated by the FBI has intensified scrutiny of the airline’s decision.
• Contradictory passenger accounts state that the teenagers were calm and well behaved, challenging Vueling’s account of disruptive conduct.
• Legal complaints and statements from Israel’s diaspora affairs officials have elevated the case in a climate of rising antisemitic incidents in Spain.