Secondary Cockpit Barriers Finally Become Mandatory On Commercial Aircraft More Than 20 Years After 9/11

President Joe Biden has ‘fixed’ one of the most tragic flaws that led to the darkest day in American aviation, 9/11. This week, the president signed into law the “FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024,” which now requires a secondary cockpit barrier to be installed on all commercial aircraft. The US House 387-26 adopted the rule and placed it before the president. It will remain law until 2028, when the National Transportation Safety Board is reauthorized to keep it going.

The requirement that all aircraft be installed with a secondary cockpit barrier will take time and could take five to six years to implement. Until retrofitting is completed, a retired FAA investigator told the Boston Herald that the United States could “be vulnerable to a 9/11-style attack.”

Advocates for a secondary barrier have reiterated that these are key to preventing the future hijacking of aircraft and should deter terrorists from being able to access the cockpit. Installing a secondary barrier is the final 9/11 Commission recommendation that has yet to be implemented. Acting FAA Associate Administrator for Safety, David Boulter, reiterated the concern, noting:

“No pilot should have to worry about an intrusion on the flight deck.”

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, simpleflying.com