Unlike carjacking or sea piracy , an aircraft hijacking is not usually committed for robbery or theft . Individuals driven by personal gain often divert planes to destinations where they are not planned to go . Some hijacking situations intend to use passengers or crew as hostages , either for monetary ransom or for some political or administrative concession by authorities . Various motives have driven such occurrences , such as demanding the release of certain high-profile individuals or for the right of political asylum ( notably Flight ET 961 ) . Hijackings involving hostages have produced violent confrontations between hijackers and the authorities , during negotiation and settlement . In the case of Lufthansa Flight 181 and Air France Flight 139 , the hijackers were not satisfied and showed no inclination to surrender , resulting in attempts by special forces to rescue passengers
ET 961
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961
Aircraft hijacking