Introduction & Course Overview

Aviation is, and will remain, an attractive target for terrorists. The hijacking of an aircraft not only produces massive public anxiety, but also guarantees the perpetrators and their cause extended media coverage as events gradually unfold. Hijackings usually follow a pattern of negotiations between the hijackers and the authorities, followed by some form of settlement - not always the meeting of the hijackers' original demands. During negotiations, hostages may become bargaining chips, and lives may be threatened. Correct handling of a hijack situation can help prevent injury and loss of life, whilst also minimising economic damage and negative publicity for the carrier and the industry as a whole.

This course will provide a unique opportunity for participants to learn from case studies and industry best practice how to manage hijack situations through the establishment of a crisis management team.  The training makes great use of Case Studies which are analysed in detail, enabling delegates to learn through actual experience. 

On the last day of the course, a full Hijack Management Exercise is conducted.  During the exercise trainees will be able to put their new learning into practice by becoming a member of a crisis management team faced with the task of organising and co-ordinating the response to a hijack scenario. The tutor will utilise intelligence from previous events to create a very realistic ‘Crisis Situation’.  Working as a team, participants will make decisions based on information which will develop throughout the course of the day. A tense and rapidly changing environment will be created which will both challenge and prepare them with skills which could be called upon in the future.   

We send a certified instructor to present the training at your own location and all participants receive a Certificate of Attendance.  Students will need to have a good level of English, such as that gained from having taken previous English courses, or the course can be conducted through translation. 

The course includes the following subjects:

• Legislation and Aviation Security Programmes

• History of hijacking

• The Threat to Aviation and the Objectives and Organisation of Aviation Security

• Risk assessments

• Emergency Planning

• Principles of Security Control

• Methods used to circumvent security (How might terrorists infiltrate a bomb/weapon onto an aircraft?)

• Recognising and Reacting to Suspicious Circumstances

• Stages of a hijack

• Hijack syndromes

• Airline/airport responsibilities

• Airport crisis management team

• Developing and maintaining liaison with police and other outside organisations and agencies

• Negotiations

• Managing the media

• Case studies: Singapore Airlines Flight 117, FedEx Flight 705,  Air France Flight 8969, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961, Ariana Afghan Airlines, Indian Airlines hijack 2000, Philippine Airlines Flight 812, American Airlines Flight 11, American Airlines Flight 77, United Airlines Flight 93, United Airlines Flight 175, Turkish Airlines Flight 1476, Aeroflot Airbus A320, Air Mauritanie Boeing 737

• Hijack Management Exercise