Editing Sky marshal

{{Short description|Covert law enforcement or counter-terrorist agent}}
{{confuse|text=the military rank in ''[[Starship Troopers]]''}}
A '''sky marshal''' is a covert law enforcement or counter-terrorist agent on board a commercial aircraft to counter [[aircraft hijacking]]s. Such an agent is also known as an '''air marshal''', a '''flight marshal''', or an '''in-flight security officer''' (IFSO).<ref name="routledge.com">{{cite book|author=Clay Biles|title=How to Stop a Hijacking: Critical Thinking in Civil Aviation Security|url=https://www.routledge.com/How-to-Stop-a-Hijacking-Critical-Thinking-in-Civil-Aviation-Security/Biles/p/book/9781032373003}}</ref><ref name="IFSO">{{cite web |title=International In-flight Security Officer Committee |website=International In-flight Security Officer Committee |url=https://www.iifsoc.com/ |access-date=27 September 2021 |archive-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902155754/https://iifsoc.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Sky marshals may be provided by airlines such as [[El Al]] (who provide [[Sky marshal#Israel|sky marshals on every flight]]), or by government agencies such as the [[EKO Cobra|Austrian Einsatzkommando Cobra]], [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]], {{ill|China Air Marshal|zh|中國民用航空局公安局}}, [[German Federal Police]], [[National Security Guard]] in India, [[Metropolitan Police]] [[Specialist Firearms Command|MO19]] (Specialist Firearms Command) from London, Pakistan [[Airports Security Force]], or US [[Federal Air Marshal Service]].

==History==

The history of in-flight security began in March 1971 when the US [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) directed a program to combat airplane hijackings. In that same year, there were numerous airplane hijackings in the United States that were planned with the [[List_of_Cuba%E2%80%93United_States_aircraft_hijackings|ultimate aim to fly to Cuba]]. In response, the FAA created the title of FAA peace officer. FAA peace officers were the first people to provide armed security onboard commercial aircraft.

===Australia===
In response to the [[September 11 attacks]], the commonwealth instituted an air security officer (ASO) program under the [[Australian Federal Police]] in December 2001.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.afp.gov.au/~/media/afp/pdf/3/34-airsecurity-officers-making-our-skies-safe.ashx |title=Air Security Officers: Making our skies safe |magazine=Platypus |publisher=[[Australian Federal Police]] |page=34 |issue=99 |date=July 2008 |access-date=23 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205193941/http://www.afp.gov.au/~/media/afp/pdf/3/34-airsecurity-officers-making-our-skies-safe.ashx |archive-date=5 December 2010 }}</ref><ref name="CTM">{{cite web |title=Budget 2002–2003: Counter Terrorism measures |website=Commonwealth of Australia |year=2002 |url=http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/budget_fact_2.pdf |access-date=10 January 2008 |archive-date=1 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901034454/http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/budget_fact_2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> These officers are generally referred to in the media as "sky marshals".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/12/23/1071941731626.html |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=24 December 2003 |title=Cost row hits sky marshals |access-date=10 January 2008 |archive-date=17 May 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040517201432/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/12/23/1071941731626.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The ASO Program provides a discreet anti-hijacking capability for Australian civil aviation by putting armed security personnel on board aircraft.<ref name="CTM" /> This involves both random and intelligence-led placement of armed ASOs on flights operated by Australian registered air carriers, on both domestic and international flights.

Officers are armed, trained and equipped for a variety of situations on both domestic and international flights.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afp.gov.au/policing/aviation/air-security-officers.aspx |title=Air Security Officers |website=Australian Federal Police |access-date=1 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329160521/http://www.afp.gov.au/policing/aviation/air-security-officers.aspx |archive-date=29 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ssaa.org.au/stories/political-up-in-arms.html |title=Up in arms |website=Sporting Shooters Association of Australia |access-date=1 January 2013 |archive-date=25 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225071646/http://www.ssaa.org.au/stories/political-up-in-arms.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Austria===
In Austria, armed air marshals have been provided since 1981 by the [[EKO Cobra|Einsatzkommando Cobra]].

===Canada===
The Canadian Air Carrier Protection/Protective Program (CACPP) began on September 17, 2002, when a [[memorandum of understanding]] was signed between the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] with [[Transport Canada]], the authority responsible for Canadian aviation security, and the [[Canadian Air Transport Security Authority]] (CATSA), for the implementation and administration of the CACPP. The program is conducted by specially trained undercover armed RCMP officers (known as "aircraft protective officers" – APOs) on selected domestic and international flights and all flights to [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport]] in the United States. Pilots and flight attendants are advised of their presence and the officer is authorized to physically intervene should an unauthorized person attempt to gain control of an aircraft.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/gazette/vol70n3/air-eng.htm |first=Marc-André |last=Gauthier |title=The Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program |journal=RCMP Gazette |publisher=[[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] |volume=70 |number=3 |date=3 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626092154/http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/gazette/vol70n3/air-eng.htm |archive-date=26 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> APOs, however, will not get involved in controlling unruly passengers.<ref name=APEC>{{cite web |url=http://www.apec.org/apec/documents_reports/counter_terrorism_task_force/2004.MedialibDownload.v1.html?url=/etc/medialib/apec_media_library/downloads/taskforce/cttf/mtg/2004/pdf.Par.0021.File.v1.1 |title=CACPP Presentation |website=APEC |date=2004}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> While they are [[peace officer]]s within Canadian territories, they rely on section 6(2) of the [[Aircraft hijacking#Tokyo Convention|Tokyo Convention]] as a legal basis for intervening in an incident outside of Canadian airspace. By law, such officers are exempt from acquiring a permit for importing or exporting their duty firearms when crossing the border.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2008/2008-03-19/pdf/g2-14206.pdf |title=SOR/2008-45: Export and Import Permits Act: Exemption Regulations (Persons) |journal=The Canada Gazette Part II |volume=142 |number=6 |page=400 |date=19 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321012501/http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2008/2008-03-19/pdf/g2-14206.pdf |archive-date=21 March 2012}}</ref> However, the exact nature of their weaponry is not released to the public except they are "deadly and effective and should not damage the aircraft".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sencanada.ca/en/Content/Sen/committee/372/defe/03ev-e |title=Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence |website=Government of Canada |date=18 November 2002 |access-date=15 March 2020 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009200752/https://sencanada.ca/en/Content/Sen/committee/372/defe/03ev-e |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Canadian Forces Military Police]] members of the Canadian Forces Air Marshal Detail, are responsible for providing security to Canadian forces aircraft, crew and passengers – passengers who may include the governor general, the prime minister and members of the royal family.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Poulin |first=Maj. Paule |url=http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/nr-sp/index-eng.asp?id=10001 |title=Military Police train for VIP Aircraft Security Detail |magazine=Air Force News |publisher=RCAF |date=27 January 2010 |access-date=1 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521193400/http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/nr-sp/index-eng.asp?id=10001 |archive-date=21 May 2013 }}</ref>

===India===
Sky marshals were introduced by [[Indian Airlines]] in December 1999, following the hijacking of [[Indian Airlines Flight 814]] in Kandahar.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Private-airlines-brace-to-meet-hijack-threats/articleshow/279176263.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523170949/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-10-11/mumbai/27236453_1_sky-marshals-jet-airways-private-airlines |url-status=live |archive-date=23 May 2013 |title=Private airlines brace to meet hijack threats |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=11 October 2001 |access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref> Following the September 11 attacks, private operators like [[Air Sahara]] also introduced sky marshals on some flights and stated plans to increase these.{{update inline|date=February 2014}}

In 2003, [[Air India]] had an agreement with a US directive to have air marshals on all of its US-bound flights. They are recruited from India's elite commando force [[National Security Guard]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/A-I-to-comply-with-US-norm/articleshow/396756.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523183128/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-12-30/india/27178669_1_sky-marshals-flights-directive |url-status=live |archive-date=23 May 2013 |title=A-I to comply with US norm |date=30 December 2003 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref> [[Ipsita Biswas]] of India's [[Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory]] (TBRL) were developing [[frangible]] bullets which shatter if they hit a substance that is harder than the bullet is. The application would allow their sky marshals to use these bullets to shoot, or threaten to shoot, hijackers on board aircraft, with the assurance that the aircraft itself would not suffer substantial damage.<ref name="IB">{{Cite web|title=Meet Ipsita Biswas, scientist who developed non-lethal plastic bullets|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/ipsita-biswas-scientist-at-tbrl-more-hits-than-misses/story-XckCsHioqpHFo2i7VzXrXK.html|last=Sharma|first=Aakriti|date=2019-05-23|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-09|archive-date=2020-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315031943/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/ipsita-biswas-scientist-at-tbrl-more-hits-than-misses/story-XckCsHioqpHFo2i7VzXrXK.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Ireland===
Ireland does not have a dedicated sky marshal agency, although there is a [[National Security Committee (Ireland)#National Civil Aviation Security Committee|National Civil Aviation Security Committee]] (NCASC). Limited capabilities are provided by the [[Garda Síochána]] [[Garda Emergency Response Unit|emergency response unit]] (ERU), the national police armed tactical unit, and backup may be provided by the [[counter-terrorism]] the Garda [[Special Detective Unit]] (SDU) and the [[Army Ranger Wing]] (ARW) special forces unit in certain situations.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Stephen |title=Brennan to reject US air marshal bid |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/article28858.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504023352/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/article28858.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 4, 2014 |access-date=3 May 2014 |newspaper=[[The Sunday Times]] |date=8 February 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Aer Lingus will comply with U.S. gun request |url=http://irishecho.com/2011/02/aer-lingus-will-comply-with-u-s-gun-request-2/ |access-date=3 May 2014 |newspaper=[[The Irish Echo]] |date=16 February 2011 |archive-date=4 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504025625/http://irishecho.com/2011/02/aer-lingus-will-comply-with-u-s-gun-request-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Irish government allows armed flight marshals from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Israel, Australia and specific European Union countries onboard international flights landing from or destined for those countries in Irish airspace, once they are informed of their presence beforehand. Weapons carried by an air marshal in Ireland include a concealed handgun, taser, knife and pepper spray.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cusack |first=Jim |title=Armed marshals likely on Irish planes |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/armed-marshals-likely-on-irish-planes-26216715.html |access-date=3 May 2014 |newspaper=[[Irish Independent]] |date=24 November 2012}}</ref>

=== Israel ===
Undercover agents carrying concealed firearms sit among the passengers on every international [[El Al]] flight.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-07-05 |title=El Al sets security standards |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2097352.stm |access-date=2022-07-07 |archive-date=2022-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605094929/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2097352.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Most El Al pilots are former [[Israeli Air Force]] pilots.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2007-06-24 |title=CNN.com - Model for air travel security may be El Al - September 26, 2001 |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/09/26/rec.el.al.security/ |access-date=2022-07-07 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624055720/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/09/26/rec.el.al.security/ |archive-date=24 June 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{efn|Most, but not all, El Al's pilots are former pilots of the [[Israeli Air Force]]. An article dedicated to an El Al female captain can be found at [https://web.archive.org/web/20111007212602/http://blogs.forward.com/sisterhood-blog/137646/ "With Yom Haatzmaut Festivities, a Gender Barrier Is Broken"], The Sisterhood, ''[[The Forward]]''.}} The cockpits in all El Al aircraft have double doors to prevent entry by unauthorized persons. A code is required to access the doors, and the second door will open only after the first has closed and the person has been identified by the captain or first officer.<ref name=":0" /> Furthermore, there are reinforced steel floors separating the passenger cabin from the baggage hold.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Silver |first=Eric |date=2006-08-15 |title=Flying under the eagle eyes of El Al's famed high security |work=New Zealand Herald |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10396216}}</ref>

In April 2013, the Israeli government increased payments to El Al to secure 97.5% of the airline's security costs ahead of the Open Skies agreement to take effect in 2014 with the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-05-01 |title=Israel Increases El Al Security Payments To End Strike Over Open Skies Deal {{!}} The Jewish Week |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/breaking-news/israel-increases-el-al-security-payments-end-strike-over-open-skies-deal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501040729/http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/breaking-news/israel-increases-el-al-security-payments-end-strike-over-open-skies-deal |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-05-01 |access-date=2022-07-07 }}</ref>

===Pakistan===
In Pakistan, armed sky marshals are deployed on all flights. Sky marshals are provided by [[Airports Security Force|Airports Security Force (ASF)]].

The ASF was established in 1976 under the Airports Security Force Act LXXVII of 1975, initially as the directorate within the Department of Civil Aviation. After the hijacking of a [[1981 Pakistan International Airlines hijacking|Pakistan International Airlines aircraft in March 1981]], sensing the contradictory requirements of security and facilitation, the ASF was separated, and, in December 1983, was placed under the folds of the Ministry of Defence.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tribune.com.pk/multimedia/videos/259342/ |title=ASF Sky Marshalls: Proving themselves in a man's world |newspaper=[[The Express Tribune]] |archive-date=2011-09-25 |access-date=2016-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925064944/http://tribune.com.pk/multimedia/videos/259342/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Singapore===
[[Singapore Airlines]] deploys sky marshals on its flights. Such members are armed with firearms loaded with special ammunition and dart-firing stun guns.

Members are usually from either the air marshal unit, the security command or the special tactics and rescue (STAR) of the [[Singapore Police Force]]. Members have undergone extensive training to enable them to operate effectively within the confines of an aircraft.

===United Kingdom===
An armed Air Marshal program began operating in the United Kingdom in 2002, it was in response to growing threats to civilian passenger aircraft. The Metropolitan Police Service Specialist Firearms Command SO19 is tasked with operating the Aircraft Protection Operations (APO) Program, for which all UK Air Marshals report to. The extent and size of the program is relatively unknown as few details are released to the media due to the sensitivity of the operation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2590309.stm|title=Armed air marshals for UK flights|date=2003-02-14|access-date=2018-09-20|language=en-GB|archive-date=2018-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920050018/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2590309.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===United States===
{{Main|Federal Air Marshal Service}}
The US [[Federal Aviation Administration]] began its sky marshal program in 1968, which eventually became the FAA Federal Air Marshal Program, in 1982; the program later became the [[Federal Air Marshal Service]] in January 2002 and after the handover of FAA security duties to the [[Transportation Security Administration]].<ref name="amazon.com">{{cite book|author=Clay Biles|title=The United States Federal Air Marshal Service: Fifty Years of Service: a Historical Perspective, 1962–2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sMBWmwEACAAJ|year=2013|publisher=Clay Biles|isbn=978-0-615-79900-1}}</ref> In 2005, [[Rigoberto Alpizar]] was shot dead by two sky marshals on a [[jetway]] at [[Miami International Airport]]. Currently, federal air marshal officers are under the Transportation Security Administration. Under the [[Visible Intermodal Prevention Response]] (VIPR) system, started around 2005, federal air marshals began to patrol non-aviation sites like bus terminals and train stations.

==Fictional references==
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*The air marshal played by [[Peter Sarsgaard]] is a central character in the suspense thriller ''[[Flightplan]]'', starring [[Jodie Foster]], [[Erika Christensen]] and [[Sean Bean]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Flight attendants hope to ground 'Flightplan' |url=http://www.today.com/id/9523383 |access-date=30 January 2015 |website=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]] |date=29 September 2005 |archive-date=12 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212160930/http://www.today.com/id/9523383 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*In the movie ''[[Non-Stop (film)|Non-Stop]]'', the plot revolves around a US air marshal ([[Liam Neeson]]) who is accused of killing passengers while en route from New York to London.<ref name="collider-synopsis">{{cite web |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |title=First Synopsis for Director Jaume Collet-Serra's NON-STOP Starring Liam Neeson |url=http://collider.com/non-stop-synopsis-liam-neeson/209053 |date=November 8, 2012 |access-date=December 11, 2012 |archive-date=December 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211012945/http://collider.com/non-stop-synopsis-liam-neeson/209053 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<!--ADD ONLY EXAMPLES WHERE THE SUBJECT HAS A MAJOR ROLE IN THE PLOT, THEME, EPISODE ETC. ONES WITH ONLY MINOR REFERENCES CAN BE REMOVED-->
*In ''[[Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay]]'', a US Marshal and his colleague subdue Harold and Kumar after they make threats on board a plane. The plane returns to the US and the two are handed over to Federal police.
* In the 2021 [[Netflix]] action horror film ''[[Blood Red Sky]]'', terrorists aboard the fictional Transatlantic Flight 473 from [[Berlin]] to [[New York City|New York]] kill three [[Germans|German]] [[Federal Police (Germany)|Bundespolizei]] air marshals and use their sidearms to take control of the plane.
* In the Malayalam movie ''[[Identity (2025 film)|Identity]]'' (2025), a Sky Marshal plays a pivotal role in thwarting a high-stakes hijacking, showcasing the critical responsibilities of these covert aviation security officers.

== See also ==
* [[Dawson's Field hijackings]]
* [[Infrastructure security]]
* [[Unruly aircraft passenger]]

== Explanatory notes==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary}}

{{Commercial air travel}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Sky marshals| ]]
[[Category:Counterterrorism]]
[[Category:Law enforcement occupations]]
[[Category:National security]]