27 Nov 2019

PNG police investigate plane hijacking

1:03 pm on 27 November 2019

A Papua New Guinea airline says one of its planes was briefly hijacked on Tuesday.

Tropicair said the aircraft was refuelling in West New Britain, when eight armed men forced the pilot to fly them to an unused airstrip.

A plane lands on the upgraded runway at Hoskins airport in Papua New Guinea's West New Britain province.

Photo: Supplied / ADB

In a statement reported by local media, the airline said the group then stole bags and other cargo on board.

The company said the pilot was unharmed and there were no other passengers on the plane.

Papua New Guinea police have confirmed they are investigating.