Airport manager tells how Saudia pilots sent false hijack alarm

It wasn't a wrong push of a button that sent what turned out to be a false hijacking alarm from Saudi Airlines flight SVA 872 on Tuesday afternoon.

The false alarm disrupted operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, with at least two flights diverted away from Manila.

According to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal, the call had to be placed via analog knobs.

"Hindi button 'yon... You have to trigger para maikot 'yung tamang numero na ita-transmit," Monreal told GMA News.

The pilots sent the emergency code 7500, which stood for hijacking.

Monreal said the Manila control tower checked with the pilots, and the answer from the aircraft was "affirmative."

This prompted airport officials to put in place the "necessary" procedures in case of such incidents.

"Kinonfirm po ng tower 'yon. Sabi po ng kapitan, affirmative. So hindi mo puwedeng i-discount 'yung possibility ng kaniyang pinadala," Monreal said.

"Kaya kami naman, when we heard about it, and it was confirmed by the crew, we could not discount the possibility, so we had to execute the plan necessary," he added.

The incident prompted the PNP-Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) Special Operations Unit and the Special Action Force Rapid Deployment Battalion to respond onsite.

The MIAA also had to bring out a mobile X-ray machine as part of security measures when the passengers had begun to disembark from the plane.

"Nu'ng paglanding na nila, sabi nagkamali sila... Baka may lapses 'yung piloto. Baka," he added.

The matter is now under investigation.

Saudia's pilots and crew have faced questioning conducted by the AVSEGROUP, a another report from GMA News' Jun Veneracion said.

According to the report, the pilots meant to send the "no communication" emergency signal, or code 7600.

However, they entered 7500, or the one for hijacking, on the transponder.

The emergency call was made because the plane was about to enter the Philippine airspace, but pilots could not reach the Manila control tower for about 28 minutes, it added.

"Mga experienced pilots ito, so it's... when they realized na nagkamali, very frustrating for them paano nangyari 'yun," AVSEGROUP director Chief Supt. Mao Aplasca said.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is looking into penalties that may be imposed against Saudia. —NB, GMA News