Eagle Airways Flight 2279 Explained

Eagle Airways Flight 2279
Date:8 February 2008
Type:Attempted hijacking
Occurrence Type:Hijacking
Site:Christchurch International Airport, Christchurch, New Zealand
Fatalities:0
Aircraft Type:British Aerospace Jetstream
Aircraft Name:City of Rotorua[1]
Operator:Air National on behalf of Eagle Airways for Air New Zealand Link
Tail Number:ZK-ECN
Passengers:7 (including hijacker)
Crew:2
Injuries:3
Survivors:9
Origin:Woodbourne Airport, Blenheim, New Zealand
Destination:Christchurch International Airport, Christchurch, New Zealand

Eagle Airways Flight 2279 was a commuter flight operated by Air National on behalf of Eagle Airways, a regional carrier division of Air New Zealand Link.[2] The flight was the subject of an unsuccessful hijack attempt on 8 February 2008 during which both pilots and a passenger suffered knife wounds.

Incident

Ten minutes after takeoff from Woodbourne Airport in Blenheim, at about 7:40 a.m. (NZDT), Asha Ali Abdille attacked both of the pilots and demanded the plane be flown to Australia. One pilot was cut in the arm, the other in the leg. Abdille also tried to wrestle the controls from the pilot. There were six other passengers (four New Zealanders, one Australian and one Indian) on board. One female passenger was also injured. The copilot managed to restrain Abdille eventually. Abdille also claimed to have two bombs on board, but no explosives were found.[3] The plane landed safely at Christchurch International Airport at 8:06 a.m.[4]

Hijacker

Asha Ali Abdille, a 33-year-old living in Blenheim, New Zealand, originally a refugee from Somalia, was arrested after the plane landed.[5]

There were fears among the New Zealand Somali community that they would be branded terrorists. The government quickly stated "the government will not tolerate any racial or religious intolerance".

Abdille moved to New Zealand in 1994.[6] TVNZ did an interview with her in 1996, during which she said she was not coping with New Zealand society, and would like to go back to Somalia.[7]

On 1 March 2005, the then-Immigration Minister Paul Swain was questioned in Parliament regarding unrelated incidents whether he was confident that Abdille "is not a threat to the New Zealand community". The minister answered in the affirmative.[8]

Trial

Abdille was charged with one count of attempted hijacking, one count of wounding one of the pilots with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and two counts of injuring with intent. She was remanded for a psychiatric report.[9]

On 22 February 2008, Abdille was charged in the Christchurch District Court with a further 11 charges, including threatening to kill, possessing an offensive weapon, and taking a dangerous weapon onto an aircraft. At her trial in 2010 where she was represented by prominent human rights and criminal Barrister Antony Shaw, Abdille pleaded guilty to the charge of attempting to hijack an aircraft, and was sentenced to 9 years in jail.[10] [11]

Impact

Christchurch International Airport was evacuated after the incident. Among those caught up were Transport Minister Annette King, Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven and the England Cricket Team.[12] This incident prompted a review of aviation security in New Zealand. Released on 23 April 2009, it found domestic flights of fewer than 90 seats with unscreened passengers and carry-on baggage were a high-risk situation.[13] there has been no change and domestic flights of fewer than 90 seats continue to be unscreened.[14]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aircraft Photo of ZK-ECN . 28 November 2023.
  2. News: Second pilot released from hospital after hijack attempt . . 10 February 2008 . 10 February 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120207170135/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200802101238/second_pilot_released_from_hospital_after_hijack_attempt . 7 February 2012 .
  3. News: NZ hijacker 'known to police'. ABC News. 8 February 2008. 9 February 2008.
  4. News: Captain thankful of co-pilot's skills during mid-air drama. Fairfax New Zealand. 9 February 2008. 10 February 2008. 10 February 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080210075221/http://www.stuff.co.nz/4395081a11.html. dead.
  5. News: Minister reassures Somali community. Scoop. 8 February 2008. 9 February 2008.
  6. News: Update: African woman held in NZ hijack. Bangkok Post. 9 February 2008.
  7. News: Close Up on 8 February. Television New Zealand. 8 February 2008. 9 February 2008.
  8. http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Debates/QOA/c/7/b/47HansQ_20050301_00000154-3-Immigration-Policy.htm Hansard 1 March 2005
  9. News: John . Hartevelt . Hijack accused to get psychiatric evaluation . . 9 February 2008 . 9 February 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080209221711/http://www.stuff.co.nz/4394966a10.html . 9 February 2008 . dead . dmy .
  10. Web site: Blenheim woman admits hijacking . Martin van Beynen . Martin van Beynen . 14 July 2010 . . 29 September 2011.
  11. Web site: Plane hijacker jailed for nine years . 27 August 2010 . . 29 September 2011.
  12. News: Pilots stabbed in New Zealand plane hijack attempt. Channel 4. 8 February 2008. 9 February 2008.
  13. Web site: Domestic flight prices may rise as security beefed up . 23 April 2009. The New Zealand Herald. 23 April 2009.
  14. News: Tourist fears and 15 March 'front of mind' in airport security review . 11 January 2021 . NZ Herald . NZME . 5 September 2019.