Airline, European Media Deny Reported Amsterdam Plane Hijacking

(Photo: Getty Images)

(The Blaze/AP) — Dutch media are reporting that fears a passenger plane had been hijacked en route from Malaga in Spain to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport appear unfounded and a passenger says there is no hostage situation.

The plane, from Spanish carrier Vueling, was parked at a remote corner of Schiphol, about two kilometers (1.5 miles) from the main terminal, surrounded by security personnel and several ambulances, according to photographers at the scene.

National broadcaster NOS spoke by phone with a person it identified as one of the passengers on board who says that the plane was calm and there was no hostage situation.

Airport authorities and security services did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

The Irish Times relates:

Vueling, the Spanish carrier which operates the plane, denied there was a hostage situation and said the emergency was sparked by a miscommunication between the pilot and air traffic control.

“The plane approached the airport in an unusual way. This led to a mis-communication between the pilot and the control-tower”, a spokeswoman said.

A spokeswoman for Vueling has added, according to 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.”

Dutch broadcaster NOS quoted a passenger on the plane: “In fact nothing was going on. We had to fly a few rounds. We are now waiting in the plane, the doors are still closed. But there is no hijack.”

This is a breaking story.  Updates will be added.