Summary

In recent years, GAO and others have reported on vulnerabilities plaguing the nation's aviation system, the availability and limitations of explosives detection technologies used at airports, and efforts under way to improve aviation security. Terrorism was initially considered a possible cause of the 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800 and helped focus national attention on the system's vulnerabilities. The President formed the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security following the crash, and later congressional hearings highlighted continuing weaknesses in the U.S. aviation security system. Although terrorism has been since ruled out as a factor in the crash of TWA Flight 800, ensuing studies found that weaknesses persist. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), other government agencies, and the aviation industry are now implementing 31 of the Commission's recommendations on aviation security. Some of these recommendations are similar to legislative mandates that Congress enacted under the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996. This report provides information on (1) the tracking, monitoring, and coordinating activities undertaken by the agencies responsible for implementing the Commission's recommendations and (2) FAA's progress in implementing eight of these recommendations, five of which are similar to mandates contained in the Reauthorization Act of 1996.

GAO noted that: (1) FAA has made some progress in five critical areas as recommended by the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security and mandated by Congress; (2) given the current implementation schedule, it will take years for FAA and the aviation industry to fully implement the initiatives; (3) to date, FAA has encountered delays of up to 12 months in implementing these initiatives, in part because they are more complex than originally envisioned and involve new and relatively untested technologies; (4) delays have also been caused by limited funding and problems with equipment installation and contractors' performance; (5) while progress is being made in strengthening aviation security, the completion of the current initiatives will require additional financial resources and a sustained commitment by the federal government and the aviation industry; (6) because momentum and public attention began to subside after the downing of Pan Am Flight 103, sufficient progress did not occur; and (7) to avoid a similar situation, congressional oversight and commitment are important.