Pilots stabbed in attack aboard New Zealand plane

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A woman passenger on a New Zealand commuter plane has been charged with hijacking after she allegedly stabbed both pilots and threatened to blow up the 19-seat aircraft, police said on Friday.

Neither pilot was seriously hurt and they were able to land the plane safely.

Police with dogs boarded the plane and arrested a 33-year-old woman, who is originally from Somalia. She was later charged with hijacking and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was due to appear in court in Christchurch on Saturday.

The two pilots were taken to Christchurch hospital but their wounds were not life-threatening. One passenger and the woman arrested were treated for minor cuts.

Christchurch Airport was closed to all flights for about three hours after the incident.

(Reporting by Adrian Bathgate; Editing by Alex Richardson)