Asha Abdille stabbed both pilots on an Air New Zealand flight from Blenheim to Christchurch in February 2008. One passenger was injured in the incident. She was on bail for another offence at the time.

A depositions hearing in December 2008 was told Abdille wanted to either hijack the plane to Australia or crash and kill everyone on board.

Her life in New Zealand since coming here as a refugee from Somalia has involved adjustment difficulties and behavioural disturbance. It also involved amassing 27 convictions including assault, threatening behaviour and possession of an offensive weapon.

In December 2016, a four-member parole panel set release conditions for Abdille, but they can only apply for six months after her sentence end date of February 7. 

 Abdille is still classified as a high risk and has reportedly warned that given the chance, she will attempt to hijack an aircraft again.