Airlines recover security costs for hardening cockpits
Fifty-eight U.S. airlines will split $100 million in grants from the Transportation Security Administration as reimbursement for costs to meet a federal mandate to strengthen cockpit doors.
The grant money is on top of $97 million disbursed for the same purpose earlier this year by the Federal Aviation Administration. In the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 hijackings and terrorist attacks Congress required reinforced cockpit doors to prevent intruders from gaining access to the cockpit. The new doors are designed to resist bullets.
Some 5,800 domestic aircraft and 4,200 foreign aircraft were required to meet the April 9 deadline. The money was issued to passenger airlines, which also carry cargo in their holds.