AMSTERDAM (AP) — Fears that 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, Dutch and Spanish media reported Wednesday.
Spanish newspaper El Pais cited a spokesperson from the Spanish carrier Vueling as saying there was no hijacking and blaming the incident on a communication problem between the pilot and control tower.
National Dutch broadcaster NOS spoke by phone with a person it identified as one of the passengers on board who said that the plane was calm and there was no hostage situation.
The Vueling plane 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.
News website Nu.nl had reported that the plane was escorted to Schiphol by two F16 fighter jets. The report cited the Defense Ministry.
Airport authorities and security services did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
No further details were immediately available.
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