Aviation security is a shared responsibility. FAA and the aviation community rely on a multifaceted approach that includes information from various intelligence and law enforcement agencies; contingency plans to meet a variety of threat levels; and the use of screening equipment, such as conventional X-ray devices and metal detectors. For flights within the United States, basic security measures include the use of walk-through metal detectors for passengers and X-ray screening of carry-on baggage; these measures are augmented by additional procedures that are based on an assessment of risk. Because the threat of terrorism had been considered greater overseas, FAA has mandated more stringent security measures for international flights. FAA is still developing systems to screen cargo and mail at airports. Detecting liquid explosives. These devices may be available within 2 years. Two procedures that are routinely used on many international flights and could be implemented in the short term for domestic flights are passenger profiling and passenger-bag matching. The Congress, the Administration, and the Aviation Industry Need to Agree on Actions to Improve Security and Who Will Pay for It

Aviation security has become an issue of national importance, but no agreement currently exists among the Congress, the administration—including FAA and the intelligence community, among others—and the aviation industry on the steps necessary to meet the threat and improve security in the short and long terms or who will pay for new security initiatives. Depending on the option selected, FAA estimated that costs would range from $1 billion to more than $6 billion over a 10-year period.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed aviation security, focusing on the measures needed to reduce potential security threats.

What GAO Found

GAO noted that: (1) the threat of terrorism is increasing in the United States; (2) aviation security responsibilities are shared by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airlines, and airports; (3) FAA and the aviation community rely on information from various intelligence and law enforcement agencies, depend on contingency plans to meet a variety of threats, and use screening equipment to detect bombs and explosives; (4) basic security measures for domestic flights include the use of walk-through metal detectors and x-ray screening equipment; (5) FAA is considering passenger profiling and bag matching to ensure that passengers checking carry-on baggage actually board a flight; (6) FAA has mandated additional security measures for international flights; (7) conventional x-ray screening is limited and offers little protection against sophisticated explosive devices; (8) new explosive detectors are being developed and could be available within the next 2 years; (9) the cost of adopting these new technologies will cost at least $6 billion over the next 10 years; (10) recent events underscore the need for improved airline security; and (11) Congress and the aviation and intelligence communities need to agree on a strategy for combating terrorism and funding new security measures.