Spain’s Vueling airline denies reports that one of its planes was hijacked, after it was forced to land at Amsterdam airport by Dutch security forces.
Dutch and Spanish media reported that the plane had been hijacked, and the Dutch defence ministry reportedly sent two F-16 fighters to intercept the plane, which was thought to be carrying hostages and a hijacker.
It was forced to land in a remote corner of Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, around two kilometres from the main terminal, where it was surrounded by military who then boarded the plane and confirmed there was no hostage situation.
“There was never any danger. There was a lack of communication between the pilot and the tower and the airport has activated the security protocol,” a spokeswoman for Spanish airline Vueling told Reuters.
There was never any danger. There was a lack of communication between the pilot and the tower and the airport has activated the security protocol. Vueling spokeswoman
Holland’s national broadcaster, NOS, spoke to someone it identified as one of the passengers on board who said that the plane was calm and there was no hostage situation.
The plane was surrounded by ambulances and security forces after it was forced to land in a remote corner of Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, around two kilometres from the main terminal.
The hijack that never was, is the second drama to occur at Schiphol airport on Wednesday. It was partly closed earlier in the day due to the discovery of a WWII bomb during construction work. The bomb disposal unit was called and the area was closed due to precautions.