In a sweeping new set of regulations, the Federal Aviation Administration
issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed at making airliners and airports
less susceptible to terrorist attacks, including making airliners with stronger
cockpit bulkheads and better fire suppression systems. It is estimated that
carriers spent $505 million to better secure cockpit doors, making them able to
withstand bullets, explosives and force. The new rule extends this protection to
the floors, walls and ceiling around the cockpit.
The NPRM calls for fire extinguishers in cargo holds that can withstand
explosives. FAA also wants to make it harder for terrorists to find a place to
stash weapons as well as having a designated center at airports to put an
explosive to minimize damage. The NPRM applies only to aircraft designed after
the rule takes effect.
Comments are open through April 5, 2007 on the proposal that the FAA
estimates would cost $453.9 million through 2049 and save $1.2 billion,
including $763 million from spoiling one terrorist plot. The estimate includes
the cost of extra fuel associated with increased weight. FAA based its
statistics on historical data relating to aircraft bombings and hijackings.
