Aircraft hijacking

Aircraft hijacking (also known as skyjacking and sky jacking) is the unlawful seizure of an aircraft either by an individual or by a group. In most cases, the pilot is forced to fly according to the orders of the hijackers. However, there have been cases where the hijackers have flown the aircraft themselves.

Unlike the hijacking of land vehicles or ships, skyjacking is usually not perpetrated in order to rob the cargo. Most hijackings for hostages result in a series negotiation between the hijackers and the authorities, followed by some form of settlement.  

Most aircraft hijackings are committed to use the passengers as hostages. It taught crew members to comply with the hijackers demands, get the plane to land safely and then let the security forces handle the situation. Crew members advised passengers to sit quietly in order to increase their chances of survival. 

They were also trained not to make any 'heroic' moves that could endanger themselves or other people. The FAA realized that the longer a hijacking persisted, the more likely it would end peacefully with the hijackers reaching their goal. However, these settlements do not always meet the hijackers' original demands.