Pilot accidentally sets off hijack alarm, triggers Amsterdam airport chaos

A pilot accidentally set off a hijack alarm on a plane at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport on Wednesday, triggering a huge security operation by Dutch police.

Spanish airline Air Europa “deeply” apologised for the incident on board its flight from the Dutch capital to Madrid, which saw emergency vehicles swarm around the plane.

“False alarm. In the flight Amsterdam-Madrid this afternoon was activated, by mistake, a warning that triggers protocols on hijackings at the airport,” the airline tweeted.

“Nothing has happened, all passengers are safe and sound waiting to fly soon. We deeply apologise.”