Skyjacker: meaning, definitions and examples
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skyjacker
[ ˈskaɪˌd͡ʒækər ]
aircraft hijacking
A skyjacker is an individual who unlawfully seizes control of an aircraft while in flight. This act is often fueled by intents such as political expression, ransom demands, or terrorism. Skyjacking poses significant threats to civilian aviation and has led to various security measures in airports worldwide.
Synonyms
aircraft hijacker, airplane hijacker, hijacker.
Examples of usage
- The skyjacker demanded a large ransom before releasing the hostages.
- Authorities apprehended the skyjacker as the plane landed.
- In the 1970s, many notorious skyjackers emerged, prompting changes in airline security.
Translations
Translations of the word "skyjacker" in other languages:
🇵🇹 sequestrador de aeronaves
🇮🇳 आसमान छीनने वाला
🇩🇪 Luftpirat
🇮🇩 perampok pesawat
🇺🇦 повітряний пірат
🇵🇱 porwany samolotu
🇯🇵 ハイジャッカー
🇫🇷 pirate de l'air
🇪🇸 secuestrador de avión
🇹🇷 uçak kaçıran
🇰🇷 공중 납치범
🇸🇦 خاطف طائرة
🇨🇿 lupič letadla
🇸🇰 únos letadla
🇨🇳 劫机者
🇸🇮 zračna ugrabitev
🇮🇸 flugræn
🇰🇿 әуе қарақшысы
🇬🇪 აეროპორტის მიტაცება
🇦🇿 hava qaçıranı
🇲🇽 secuestrador de avión
Etymology
The term 'skyjacker' is believed to have originated in the 1960s during the wave of aircraft hijackings that occurred around that time. As commercial air travel expanded, so did the incidents of hijacking, prompting the need for a specific term to describe individuals who carried out these illegal acts. The word combines 'sky,' referring to the atmosphere where planes fly, and 'jack,' which means to seize or steal. The media popularized the term as hijackings gained notoriety, thus embedding it into the English language. The phenomenon was particularly prevalent during the Cold War era, where political motives often underpinned the actions of skyjackers, leading to increased security measures in aviation.