A mentally disturbed woman who attempted to hijack a flight from Blenheim to Christchurch has been banned from Wellington Airport before her potential release from prison.
Asha Ali Abdille stabbed both pilots and a female passenger suffered minor wounds restraining Abdille on the Air New Zealand flight in February 2008.
"Normally we would not discuss individual cases but given this is in the public interest we can confirm in co-ordination with airport police we have a standing trespass notice in place and would continue to monitor the situation," a Wellington Airport spokesman said today.
"The safety of passengers is our top priority."
Abdille, whose nine-year sentence is due to end next month, is classified as high risk.
According to a Parole Board hearing summary earlier this month, Abdille "said that she will attempt to hijack another plane and has threatened to set herself on fire".
The report also said hospital staff maintained "ongoing concerns about potential risky behaviour in the community on any release''.