ANKARA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Nearly all the passengers on a plane hijacked on its way to Istanbul from northern Cyprus have left the aircraft and an operation to rescue the others is almost complete, Atlas Jet CEO Tuncay Doganer said.

"There are a small number of people remaining. I estimate that in a short period this operation will be finished," he told private broadcaster NTV. The plane was hijacked early on Saturday on its way to Istanbul from northern Cyprus and landed at Antalya, southern Turkey, to refuel.

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