Airline Response to Terrorism (From Political Terrorism and Business - The Threat and Response, P 129-139, 1979, Yonah Alexander and Robert A Kilmarx, ed. - See NCJ-77538)

• NCJ Number: 77547
• Author(s): T M Ashwood
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: Praeger Publishers
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The history of airlines' responses to airplane hijacking by terrorists is traced.

Abstract

When terrorists targeted civil aircraft as the context for extortion and international publicity, the world, except for a few nations, was slow to react. Political solutions were sought, but international agreement on an approach to the problem proved to be impossible. Responsible governments were left to defend themselves and the civil aviation industry unilaterally. The representatives from the U.S. Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Association (IFALPA) have been in the forefront of the efforts against terrorism. For about the last 10 years, they have struggled to increase recognition of the problem. Once that was accomplished, they successfully cooperated with and advised governments about the political and technical solutions to the problem. Their resources were spent in supporting the research and development of techniques and equipment to defend against terrorist acts against civil aviation. ALPA and IFALPA have also been influential in prompting governments to take legislative action against international terrorism. A system of mechanical screening procedures for airline passengers and their luggage has been a significant step toward deterring hijackers. An appended report of the International Flight Security Committee reports on activities to counter airplane hijacking in the United States and the international political situation regarding terrorism internationally. One note is listed.