This footage looks back at the harrowing events surrounding Air France Flight 8969 in December 1994. The Airbus A300 was hijacked in Algeria, triggering a multi-day crisis that gripped international headlines. After 54 hours of negotiations, delays, and mounting tension, the situation culminated in a decisive rescue operation carried out by French special forces at Marseille Airport. The intervention brought the standoff to an end and prevented further catastrophe. The incident remains one of th

December 24, 1994: Terrorists aboard Air France flight 8969 forced it to divert to Marseille Provence Airport, where they proceeded to make demands and then fire at the air traffic control tower. French authorities felt they had no choice but to call in a special unit to force their way onto the plane. Strap in, an all-new episode of Air Disasters premieres Sunday at 8/7c. | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation