Lybian plane hijacked and diverted to Malta

[sn26567]

According to the Prime Minister of Malta, a Lybian A320 plane of Afriqiah Airways operating a domestic flight with 118 people on board, that has just landed at Malta Airport in Luqa, could have been hi-jacked.

There are reportedly two pirates on board, but their goals are still unknown.

Malta Airport confirms an "unlawful interference" at the airport. Emergency teams have been dispatched.

The aircraft is an A320 registered 5A-ONB. It was operating flight 8U 209 from Sebha (SEB) to Tripoli (TIP).

Further news to follow...

[AquaplexAir]

Internal flight from Afriqiyah Airways flight 8U209 has been diverted to Malta with no clear reason for the moment

[quixoticguide]

Internal flight from Afriqiyah Airways flight 8U209 has been diverted to Malta with no clear reason for the moment

Hijacking?

[quixoticguide]

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airc ... nb#bf8c3ad

[Passenger]

It's this aircrafts' second unscheduled and unplanned visit to Malta: engine failure in Dec 2010, flight Amsterdam-Tripoli, diversion to Malta.
http://avherald.com/h?article=43507497&opt=0

(edited "2010")

[quixoticguide]

The hijacked flight #8U209 is still standing on the runway at Malta Airport http://fr24.com/5AONB/bf8ea3d

[Passenger]

Just like most other flights, Air Malta KM-423 Brussels-Malta (A320) diverted to Catania:
https://www.flightradar24.com/flight/km423

[sn26567]

A first group of 25 passengers (consisting of women and children) have been released by the hijackers, said Malta Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

There were 82 men, 28 women and 1 child on board, in addition to 7 crew.

According to The Times of Malta, one hijacker said he was pro-Kaddhafi, but his objective is not known. The two hijackers claiming to be armed with hand grenades threaten to blow up the plane.

A team of negotiators has been brought to the airport. Military security forces have been deployed on the tarmac.

The airport webcam has been disabled for security reasons.

[sn26567]

Malta's Prime Minister reported at 14:50L (13:50Z) that all passengers and some crew members have been released, only the two hijackers and some crew were still on board of the aircraft. Flights began to resume at Malta International Airport.

https://avherald.com/h?article=4a27ac39&opt=0

According to Libyan media the hijackers are demanding the release of Saif al Islam Gaddafi, son of the former dictator.

[sn26567]

THE END ! The hijackers surrender after leaving the Libyan plane in Malta along with the remaining hostages. They are now in custody (the hijackers, not the hostages!)

[sn26567]

The funny news of the day: Yesterday's Afriqiyah hijack at Malta disrupted the filming of a movie at the airport... about a hijacking !!!

They should have kept filming: it would have been tele-reality!

[luchtzak]

A strange way of seeking asylum

[Passenger]

The two hijackers appeared in court today. Malta Today reports: "...Saleh, who described his occupation as “doing everything”, and Soko, who said he was a former student, pleaded not guilty to the charges..."

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/natio ... rged_today

[sn26567]

Afriqiyah Airways requests its hijacked A320, serial number 3236, back from Malta, as the carrier is suffering “substantial losses” because the plane is still being held.

[sn26567]

It seems that the Libyan complaint has been taken into account by Malta: Afriqiyah Airways has its hijacked A320 released by Malta, following investigation. The aircraft flew back to Libya today 06 January 2017 (and as I am in Malta now, I saw it shortly after take-off this afternoon).

5A-ONB_20170106.PNG (57.7 KiB) Viewed 1596 times