NCJ Number
66396
Journal
TVI (TERRORISM VIOLENCE INSURGENCY JOURNAL) Volume: 1 Issue: 5 Dated: (1980) Pages: 2-6
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE VULNERABILITY OF SMALL BUSINESS AIRPLANES TO SKYJACKING IS EMPHASIZED, AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
A VIEW OF FUTURE TRENDS IN AIRPLANE HIJACKING REVEALS THAT CORPORATE AVIATION OFFERS AN INCREASINGLY ATTRACTIVE TARGET TO SKYJACKERS. NUMEROUS EXTREMIST AND TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS REGARD CORPORATIONS (SYMBOLS OF CAPITALISM) AS LEGITIMATE TARGETS, AND THE LACK OF SECURITY MEASURES IN SMALL PLANES MAKES CORPORATION OFFICIALS ESPECIALLY EASY PREY. IN ADDITION, THE RISKS INVOLVED IN HIJACKING LARGE COMMERCIAL JETS HAVE DRIVEN MANY PROFESSIONALS TO LOOK FOR A CHANGE IN TARGET. IN THE PROCESS, SKYJACKING MAY LOSE SOME OF ITS PUBLIC ASPECTS AND MOVE CLOSER TO KIDNAPPING. THE AIRCRAFT ITSELF WILL BECOME A VEHICLE FACILITATING THE SEIZURE AND TRANSPORTATION OF A CAREFULLY SELECTED VICTIM RATHER THAN PLAYING THE PART OF AN INSTRUMENT OF COERCION IN ITS OWN RIGHT. ONCE PROFESSIONAL SKYJACKERS PROVE CORPORATE AVIATION AN EASY MARK, THE AMATEURS MAY BE EXPECTED TO ATTEMPT SIMILAR MANEUVERS. BEFORE NOVELTY AND CONTAGION PLACE CORPORATE AVIATION IN THE CENTER OF HIJACKING ACTIVITY, THE FOLLOWING PREVENTIVE MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN: (1) IMPROVED SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CORPORATE AVIATION DEPARTMENT, (2) CLEAR CRISIS MANAGEMENT RESPONSES, (3) A 'NO-STRANGERS' POLICY STRICTLY ENFORCED AROUND ALL CORPORATE AIRCRAFTS, (4) UNIFORM SECURITY POLICIES FOR ALL WHO USE A PARTICULAR CORPORATION'S AIRCRAFT, AND (5) FAMILARITY WITH SECURITY FACILITIES IN FOREIGN AIRPORTS. IN THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF CORPORATE SKYJACKING, THE REACTION OF THE MASS-MEDIA WILL BE CRUCIAL, SINCE INCAUTIOUS REPORTING COULD START A SERIES. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT CORPORATIONS SAY AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE AND NEVER REVEAL ANYTHING ABOUT SECURITY MEASURES OR ANTISKYJACKING TECHNIQUES. THE ARTICLE CONTAINS BIBLIOGRAPHICAL FOOTNOTES. (SAJ)