Woman passenger attacks pilots on New Zealand domestic flight

NEW ZEALAND: A knife-wielding woman stabbed the two pilots of a small commuter plane in New Zealand and threatened to blow it up in an apparent hijack attempt Friday, police said.

The Jetstream aircraomb disposal team conducted an initial search of the plane and found no explosives. The passengers included four New Zealanders, an Australian and an Indian national.

One passenger suffered a minor hand injury when the plane was evacuated on landing, shortly after 8:00 a.m. (1900 GMT).

Emergency vehicles surrounded the aircraft on the tarmac and the airport was closed to incoming and outgoing flights. The airport was reopened after about three hours.

Air New Zealand general manager of short haul airlines, Bruce Parton, said the airline was reviewing its security procedures.

"Today's incident, although a one-off, has naturally given us cause to conduct a thorough review of our safety and security systems and processes on regional domestic flights," Parton said.

Passengers boarding short haul flights at Newíúealand airports do not routinely pass through security screening.

Wellington, Friday, AP