PARIS – In an unusual and somewhat humorous incident, French Prime Minister François Bayrou found himself briefly stuck in the cockpit of a Rafale fighter jet during his visit to the Paris Air Show earlier this week.
The PM was visiting the prestigious air show to observe the latest advancements in aviation technology and meet with industry representatives. As part of his tour, Bayrou visited the booth of Dassault Aviation — the renowned French aerospace company that manufactures the Rafale multirole combat aircraft.
While inspecting the Rafale jet, Bayrou climbed into the cockpit to get a firsthand look at the aircraft’s advanced control systems and got struck there. Company representatives briefed him on the jet’s cutting-edge features and capabilities, which have made it one of the most sought-after fighter aircraft globally.
However, the visit took an unexpected turn when Bayrou attempted to exit the aircraft. To the surprise of onlookers and staff, the Prime Minister found himself stuck in the confined space of the cockpit. What was intended as a quick demonstration turned into a moment of mild embarrassment as aides and aviation staff worked together to assist him out of the aircraft.
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The witnesses at the scene reported that while the situation caused some concern initially, it quickly turned into lighthearted laughter. The PM, displaying a good sense of humor, reportedly joked about the tight quarters and handled the situation with grace.
The incident, although minor, drew attention on social media, with the users commenting on the challenges of modern aircraft design and the PM’s calm demeanor.
Despite the hiccup, Bayrou continued his tour of the air show and met with several aviation experts and defense industry leaders, in a bid to enforce France’s commitment to innovation in aerospace and defense technology.
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