Passenger plane lands at Bali in suspected hijacking

A Virgin Australia plane landed at Bali airport on Friday after a suspected hijacking, Indonesian officials said. "We got information that a 737-800 from Brisbane to Bali has been hijacked," spokesman Hadi Tjahjanto told MetroTV television station, adding it was a Virgin flight, according to channelnewsasia.com. "The pilot indicated that the plane has been hijacked," senior transport ministry official Harry Bhakti said on MetroTV. "There's information that a passenger tried to get into a cockpit, we are investigating."

Indonesian TV quoted the local police, saying that the passenger has been arrested. Reports said flight VA41 was travelling from Brisbane in Australia when the suspected hijack occurred. Palani Mohan, a passenger on a Garuda flight that was about to take off from Bali, said: "The captain of my plane made an announcement saying we were delayed indefinitely because a hijack was going on in Bali airport, about 150 metres away from us.

"I saw at least five vehicles including military-style trucks, filled with men in uniform, rushing towards the plane. "Then the Virgin plane taxied away, followed by the convoy of security forces. The flight attendant said it's been taken off to a different part of the airport.

"Bali airport seems to be in lockdown, we've been told no planes will be departing or arriving. The pilot's not allowing anyone off our plane."

Virgin Australia Airlines, formerly Virgin Blue Airlines, is Australia's second-largest carrier as well as the largest by fleet size to use the Virgin brand.