Afriqiyah A320 enroute on Dec 23rd 2016, hijacked to Malta, hijack ended

Last Update: December 23, 2016 / 21:26:59 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Dec 23, 2016

Classification
Incident

Airline
Afriqiyah Airways

Flight number
8U-209

Departure
Sebha, Libya

Destination
Tripoli, Libya

Aircraft Registration
5A-ONB

Aircraft Type
Airbus A320

ICAO Type Designator
A320

An Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A320-200, registration 5A-ONB performing flight 8U-209 from Sebha to Tripoli (Libya) with 111 passengers and 7 crew, was enroute at FL340 nearing the top of descent into Tripoli when the aircraft did not start the descent but changed the course to Malta due to unlawful interference on board. The aircraft landed safely on Malta's runway 31 about 40 minutes later at 11:32L (10:32Z). The aircraft taxied onto runway 23 and stopped 850 meters short of the runway end of that runway. Engines were still running 90 minutes after landing and were subsequently shut down.

Malta's government reported two hijackers claiming to be armed with hand grenades took control of the aircraft. All flights into Malta are being diverted, the airport is closed, security forces have been deployed. Negotiations with the hijackers are under way.

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.

At 15:45L Malta's Prime Minister reported that the hijackers surrendered and were taken into custody. All people aboard the aircraft have disembarked.

Police later reported the weapons (hand grenade and pistols) were dummies.

Related NOTAMs:
A1222/16 NOTAMN
Q) LMMM/QFALC/IV/NBO/A /000/999/3551N01429E005
A) LMML B) 1612231112 C) 1612231515
E) AERODROME CLOSED DUE TO HIJACK.

A1224/16 NOTAMN
Q) LMMM/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A /000/999/3551N01429E005
A) LMML B) 1612231132 C) 1612231500 EST
E) RUNWAY 23/05 CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

A1225/16 NOTAMN
Q) LMMM/QFFCG/IV/NBO/A /000/999/3551N01429E005
A) LMML B) 1612231137 C) 1612231500 EST
E) AIRFIELD OPEN. FIRE CATEGORY COVER CAT 7.
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Dec 23, 2016

Classification
Incident

Airline
Afriqiyah Airways

Flight number
8U-209

Departure
Sebha, Libya

Destination
Tripoli, Libya

Aircraft Registration
5A-ONB

Aircraft Type
Airbus A320

ICAO Type Designator
A320

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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