Government Report on U.S. Aviation Warns of Security Holes

WASHINGTON - "Despite a huge investment in security, the American aviation system remains vulnerable to attack by Al Qaeda and other jihadist terrorist groups, with noncommercial planes and helicopters offering terrorists particularly tempting targets, a confidential government report concludes.

"Intelligence indicates that Al Qaeda may have discussed plans to hijack chartered planes, helicopters and other general aviation aircraft for attacks because they are less well-guarded than commercial airliners, according to a previously undisclosed 24-page special assessment on aviation security by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security two weeks ago.

"But commercial airliners are also 'likely to remain a target and a platform for terrorists,' the report says, and members of Al Qaeda appear determined to study and test new American security measures to 'uncover weaknesses.'"

in the n.y. times