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Saudi Airlines plane isolated in Manila after hijacking 'false alarm'

By Andrew V. Pestano

MANILA, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- A Saudi Arabian Airlines flight was isolated in the Philippines' Manila International Airport on Tuesday after the threat of a hijacking, which the airline later said was a false alarm.

The Manila International Airport Authority said it received an advisory from a control tower that Saudia Airlines Flight SV872 was "under threat."

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Passengers were kept inside of the aircraft after landing so authorities could inspect the carrier and its occupants. Passengers were later allowed to disembark.

"False alarm for hijacking SV flight #872," Saudia Airlines wrote on Twitter.

Eddie Monreal, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority, said the plane's distress call was a "pilot mistake." The agency and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will independently investigate the pilot for pressing the emergency button twice.

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