Woman due in court in Christchurch over hijacking attempt

The 33 year old Somali woman, from Blenheim, was arrested on Friday after two pilots and a passenger were attacked with a knife during an Air National flight from Blenheim to Christchurch.

The attacker demanded the pilots fly the plane to Australia and told them she had two bombs on board.

The pilots made an emergency landing and were able to overpower her once they had touched down.

One of the pilots suffered a severely cut hand and underwent surgery on Friday night, while the other pilot and the injured passenger were treated for minor injuries.

After the plane came to a halt halfway along a runway, armed police rushed aboard and led away a woman.

The plane was then moved to a hangar to allow a bomb squad to continue its search, but nothing was found.

Canterbury Police Commander Superintendent Dave Cliff says two knives were recovered.

Security review

The flight was operated by Air National for Air New Zealand, whose deputy chief executive Norm Thompson says the arline's procedures will now be reviewed.

He says an investigation is underway in conjunction with the Aviation Security Service and the Civil Aviation Authority.

General manager for short-haul airlines, Bruce Parton, says the incident, although a one-off, has given Air New Zealand cause to thoroughly review its safety and security procedures on regional domestic flights.

Air National chief executive officer Jason Gray says his company is proud of the efforts of its two pilots in a difficult situation.

Mr Gray says they did an amazing job, which reflects their high level of training and professionalism, and the company is giving the pilots and their families all the support they need.

No weapons check at Blenheim

Blenheim airport manager Dean Heiford says the first anyone there knew of the drama was when Christchurch police called to ask questions about passengers.

Mr Heiford says Blenheim, like other provincial airports, does not check for potential weapons in luggage.

He says such incidents involving small airports are virtually unheard of, but Friday's events may raise questions about provincial airport security.

He says installing baggage X-ray machines at Blenheim and other provincial airports would be hugely expensive.

Minister's Somali plea

Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter has called on the public not to judge the Somali community.

Mr Carter says he has spoken to Somali community leaders who are concerned their community will be stigmatised by the incident.

He says he wants to assure Somali New Zealanders that the Government will not tolerate any racial or religious intolerance.

About 1,800 people originally from Somalia live in New Zealand.

SOURCE: NZ radio, February 08, 2008