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Pilot Error Leads Palma Airport to think a Flight Had Been Hijacked

Jet2 Plane Surrounded as Pilot mis-types a command code

featured in News & reviews Author Ellie Mahoney, Mallorca Editor Updated

An pilot who was having problems communicating with the control tower at Palma's Son Sant Joan airport this morning, inadvertently sent them the wrong communication code, making them think the plane had been hijacked.

The Jet2 flight from East Midlands airport landed at around 11am and was soon after surrounded by security from the Civil guard and the Police.

They managed to establish contact with the pilot, who had been having difficulty communicating with the control tower. He quickly put them at ease when he explained he'd used the wrong code (one reserved for hijack situations) instead of one used as an alternative communication line.

Thankfully the incident didn't cause any delays at the airport, but it probably wasn't the best way for the passengers to start their holiday in Mallorca!