Armed men’ hijack plane, steal baggage

A charter airline in Papua New Guinea on has  said that armed men hijacked one of its planes, forced the pilot to fly to an unused airstrip before making off with the cargo.

Tropicair shared with media that eight armed men approached the plane as it was refuelling in Gasmata, on the island of New Britain and forced him to take off. A company spokesman said there were no other passengers on board. “Upon arrival at the airstrip, the armed men stole the baggage and cargo that was on board the aircraft and fled the area,” Matthew Brutnall said. “The Captain was not injured during this event and the aircraft was not damaged and has since been returned to Port Moresby.” Brutnall added.