Airline Hijackings of the Cold War

During the Cold War there was an international crisis in which airline hijackings, or skyjackings as they were also known, became an epidemic. The international aviation community was slow to respond, fearing loss of revenue if they invaded the privacy of their customers.

1931-02-21 00:00:00

First Confirmed Hijacking

1947-12-03 14:19:24

Cold War

During the Cold War, hijackings were often desperate attempts to escape across Iron Curtain.

1948-07-16 00:00:00

Miss Macao

The first commercial hijacking.

1953-03-23 00:00:00

Mira Slovak

Mira Slovak, a Czechoslovak airline pilot was flying a domestic route and diverted the plane to Frankfurt where he requested political asylum.

1961-05-01 00:00:00

Hijacking Takes Off

Between 1961 and 1973 there were 160 hijackings in American airspace.

1968-07-01 00:00:00

U.S. Congressional Hearings

By July 1968 the issue had become so prevalent that the Senate held hearings.

1968-07-23 00:00:00

El Al Flight 426

Longest hijacking incident

1969-11-01 00:00:00

FAA Anti-hijacking Task Force

As a result of U.S. airlines making hijacking a fast and easy process, the number of hijackings in American airspace skyrocketed. In the first six weeks on 1969 eleven flights were commandeered. The FAA started an anti-hijacking task force with the hopes of combating the crisis. The public sent many suggestions, though the most popular was to build a replica of Havana's Jose Marti International Airport in South Florida. The idea was seriously considered by the FAA but was ultimately too expensive. The FAA did, however, come up with a system of identifying passengers who didn't behave in what they deemed a normal manor. This screening was implemented by a few airlines who would further search selected passengers. This plan did not end up being as successful as hoped, though.

1970-09-01 00:00:00

PFLP Hijacks Five Planes

Terrorism jump starts the conversation about airport security.

1970-11-01 00:00:00

Cuban Criminalizes Hijacking

Cuba passes a law making hijacking a crime, in hopes of deterring further incidents.

1971-11-01 00:00:00

Cuba/U.S. Work Together

Cuba and the US sign a hijack agreement

1972-08-11 05:36:36

Skyjackings Continue

Forty Americans attempted to hijack planes in 1972

1973-01-05 05:36:36

U.S. Starts Blanket Screenings

In the United States physical screening of all passengers begins, despite years of pushback from the airlines. The U.S. finally sees a drop off in hijackings, as much as 90% in the first four years. (Jenkins)

1974-01-01 00:00:00

Terrorist Hijackings Decline

1976-07-01 05:36:36

Operation Entebbe

Air France Flight 139 is taken hostage by the PFLP and 100 hostages were held at Entebbe Airport.

1981-03-03 00:00:00

Pakistani International Airlines Hijackings

Pakistani Airline is held in Kabul and then Damascus for 13 days

1985-06-14 00:00:00

TWA Flight 847

Hostage held for 17 days

1986-09-05 00:00:00

Pan Am Flight 73

Pan Am Flight 73 heading to Germany and then the United States, is hijacked in Karachi, Pakistan. Twenty passengers are killed, 12 from India and the rest from the United States, Mexico, and Pakistan.