A pilot accidentally set off a hijack alarm on a plane at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport on Wednesday, triggering a huge security operation by Dutch police.
Spanish airline Air Europa “deeply” apologised for the incident onboard its flight from the Dutch capital to Madrid, which saw emergency vehicles swarm around the plane.
Flights at Amsterdam Airport had returned to normal yesterday evening after a security alert turned out to be caused by pilot error.
Flights were disrupted after a pilot on an Air Europa plane accidentally sent an alarm code used to signal a hijacking.https://t.co/poJdoQKalA
— American Express GBT Finland (@amexgbtfinland) November 7, 2019
“False alarm. In the flight Amsterdam-Madrid this afternoon was activated, by mistake, a warning that triggers protocols on hijackings at the airport,” the airline tweeted.
Pictures from the scene showed police vehicles and ambulances clustered around the aircraft while parts of the airport were cordoned off.
“Nothing has happened, all passengers are safe and sound waiting to fly soon. We deeply apologise.”
Schiphol is one of Europe’s busiest airports, handling more than 70 million passengers a year, according to its website.
BREAKING: Video shows a large emergency response at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Unconfirmed reports of hijacking aboard plane.#Schiphol #Amsterdam
https://t.co/j2gkYC6LQt— Global News Network (@GlobalNews77) November 6, 2019
Pictures from the scene showed police vehicles and ambulances clustered around the aircraft while parts of the airport were cordoned off.
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Flight schedules remained disrupted late into Wednesday.
The Dutch Royal Military Police had earlier said they were investigating a “suspect situation”, but announced an hour later that the passengers and crew were “safely off the plane.”
The plane was carrying 27 passengers, Dutch media said.
Schiphol is one of Europe’s busiest airports, handling more than 70 million passengers a year, according to its website.
An investigation was underway to determine how the alarm could have been accidentally triggered.
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A hijacking alert is not made by activating a single button but is triggered by a four-digit code transmitted to the control tower, aeronautics expert Joris Melkert told local media.
Justice and Security Minister Ferd Grapperhaus tweeted that he was “impressed” by the response of the authorities.
AFP with additional input by GVS News Desk.