But why they didnīt considered Larnaca ? Because of fuel
They should have enough in the tanks for the short trip.
OLBA - OSDI = 56,9 NM
OLBA - LCLK = 112,0 NM
OLBA - OJAI = 128,1 NM (+ XX NM to circumfly Syrian airspace)
OLBA = LLBG = 112,6 NM
BTW: AF suspended ops to OSDI in March because of a worrying security situation...and this at a time without the dayly risk of being shot down either by the Assad Air Force or the Rebels which are also equipped with RPGs and SAMs...
OSDI therefore should be deleted as an alternate option anyway.
Canīt believe the pilots did not catch the news the recent months.
Something more must have happened on this flight which were unaware of.