Missiles are now the greatest threat to airline passenger safety, surpassing hijacking and other forms of terror. In recent years, multiple commercial aircraft have been shot down by fighters, drones, and other weaponry, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives.
The 1988 Lockerbie bombing, in which a Pan Am Boeing 747 was brought down by a surface-to-air missile in Libya, remains the deadliest terrorist attack on a commercial airliner, resulting in the deaths of 270 people. Since then, a number of other incidents have occurred, including the 2002 Bali bombing of an Indonesian commercial flight that killed 202 people, the 2014 downing of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine, and the 2015 shooting down of a Russian charter plane over Egypt.
These events cannot simply be brushed off as isolated incidents. The threat of missiles is a complex and evolving problem that requires a concerted international response. The accident of commercial aircraft being shot down by hostile forces is a grim reminder of the danger that lies in the skies.
The recent rise in violent conflicts around the world has highlighted the threat posed by anti-aircraft missiles, which are now being used by numerous militant and terrorist groups. The proliferation of these weapons is a significant concern, as they can be easily obtained and used to target civilian aircraft, including commercial airliners.
In addition to the threat posed by militant and terrorist groups, another danger comes from hostile nations themselves. The threat of conflict between nations is ever-present, and the use of anti-aircraft missiles by hostile forces is a significant concern. The downing of a commercial airliner would not only result in the loss of innocent lives but also do tremendous damage to the international community, causing widespread disruption to global commerce and international relations.
To address this growing threat, international authorities must work together to ensure that there are adequate measures in place to prevent the use of anti-aircraft missiles against commercial aircraft. This includes increasing international cooperation, improving air defense systems, and imposing stiff penalties on nations or groups found to be engaging in this dangerous behavior.
