By Rochimawati
DENPASAR, Indonesia
An Indonesian airport went on alert Friday as the air force announced that a plane approaching Ngurah Rai International in Bali had been hijacked in midair.
Airline official Heru Sudjatmiko announced minutes later that an intoxicated passenger on the Virgin Australia flight from Brisbane had been arrested for creating a disturbance.
Ground staff, security and the country's air force had gone into overdrive, the plane -- which had 137 people on board -- directed to a "sterile place" on the airport tarmac on the resort island.
Air Force Chief Information Office spokesperson TJ Hadi had said that as the plane was approaching Ngurah Rai around 14:10 the pilot had informed the airport it had been hijacked.
Police Inspector General Suhardi Alius said police had secured a piracy suspect who had been on the flight.
"Currently, the Bali Police have secured the suspect, and he is being taken from the aircraft," he told Indonesia's Metro TV.
He added that the passenger was acting aggressively and was handcuffed by the crew.
All operations at Ngurah Rai are now back to normal.
Virgin Australia, formerly known as Virgin Blue, is Australia's second-largest airline.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
