Airliner Hijackings Have Become Rare Events

Yesterday's hijacking of an EgyptAir flight from Cairo to Alexandria was a rare event. Between 1968 and 1972, airliner hijackings were commonplace around the world, occurring almost weekly in the United States alone. Since then, however, heightened airport security measures including x-ray machines and metal detectors have dramatically reduced the number of hijackings.

Even when they do occur, hijackers are faced with strengthened and bullet resistant cockpit doors onboard, as well as air marshals in some cases. Even though yesterday's incident was resolved peacefully after the Airbus A320 landed in Cyprus, questions are going to be raised about security measures in Egyptian airports. In October, a Russian airliner is suspected to have been destroyed by a bomb shortly after taking off from Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport.

Description

This chart shows the total number of airliner hijackings worldwide from 1968 to 2015.

Download Chart
Premium statistics
Preferred air travel company in Portugal 2023
Premium statistics
Most popular domestic air travel routes Australia 2023
Premium statistics
Seat availability on selected domestic air travel routes in Australia 2023
Premium statistics
Share of UK adults satisfied with resolution to an air travel issue complaint 2023
Premium statistics
Share of touristic trips in which air travel was used in Japan FY 2013-2022
Premium statistics
UK air travel behavior related to the cost of flying 2022

Any more questions?

Get in touch with us quickly and easily.
We are happy to help!

Do you still have questions?

Feel free to contact us anytime using our contact form or visit our FAQ page.

Statista Content & Design

Need infographics, animated videos, presentations, data research or social media charts?

More Information