Air France Flights Grounded

Just heard on FOX that Air France has cancelled some flights after the US announced it had hard evidence that they had been infiltrated by AlQuaeda.

This probably took some arm wringing but the French seem to have gotten ahead of this one.

Update: More Here

Update2: Thanks France!

Update the third:This AP story and this one hints that there is frustration that the French may have jumped the gun and blown a potential sting operation.

Breathe...

OK, the 2.5 people that read this blog know that I have no flag to carry for the French, but I would be very hesitant to criticize them for halting the flights and possibly screwing up a sting operation when they may well have stopped another 9/11. In fact, what criticism there is is that they acted too fast....this is progress to my mind.

I can only imagine the difficulty in coordinating two bureaucracies that are a bit distrustful of each other right now. That the French erred on the side of caution should not (IMHO) be a cause for rage. Even if true, it may well have come down to poor communication.

Hat tip, 3rd update: Captains Quarters