Skyjacked: meaning, definitions and examples

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skyjacked

 

[ ˈskaɪˌdʒækt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

aircraft hijacking

Skyjacked refers to the act of hijacking an aircraft, usually through force or coercion. This term is particularly associated with incidents where passengers and crew are taken hostage or where a plane is diverted from its original flight path. The phenomenon of skyjacking gained significant media attention during the 1960s and 1970s when such occurrences became more frequent. The motivations behind skyjacking can vary, including political statements, demands for ransom, or personal grievances.

Synonyms

captured, hijacked, seized.

Examples of usage

  • The flight was skyjacked mid-air.
  • Several passengers were frightened after the plane was skyjacked.
  • He was arrested for attempting to skyjack a commercial flight.
  • Skyjacked flights often lead to international negotiations.

Translations

Translations of the word "skyjacked" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sequestrado em voo

🇮🇳 हवाई अपहरण

🇩🇪 entführt im Flugzeug

🇮🇩 pembajakan pesawat

🇺🇦 повітряне захоплення

🇵🇱 porwanie samolotu

🇯🇵 ハイジャックされた

🇫🇷 détourné

🇪🇸 secuestrado en vuelo

🇹🇷 uçak kaçırma

🇰🇷 하이재킹된

🇸🇦 خطف الطائرة

🇨🇿 únos letadla

🇸🇰 únos lietadla

🇨🇳 劫机

🇸🇮 zajeto letalo

🇮🇸 flugskað

🇰🇿 ұшақты ұрлау

🇬🇪 საბრძოლო თვითმფრინავის დაპყრობა

🇦🇿 təyyarənin qaçırılması

🇲🇽 secuestro de avión

Etymology

The term 'skyjacked' emerged during a notable rise in aircraft hijackings from the late 1950s to the early 1980s, a period that saw a surge of political unrest and terrorism globally. The word is a compound of 'sky'—referring to the aircraft's operational environment—and 'jack', a colloquial term for seizing control. This new phenomenon highlighted vulnerabilities in aviation security and led to extensive changes in regulations and procedures surrounding air travel. Incidents of skyjacking often captivated public attention, creating a dramatic narrative associated with the fear and risks of air travel. As public awareness grew, so did security measures in airports worldwide, transforming how passengers and airlines approached safety.