Security Breaches Trigger Us Air Alert

The US federal aviation authority has ordered an immediate security inspection of all 7,000 airliners in America's commercial fleet after Stanley knives, bleach, and taunting messages were found hidden aboard two planes.

The 24-hour sweep, with departing flights from all US airports subjected to additional safety inspections, was ordered after the weapons were found on Thursday night.

As agents from the FBI's anti-terror division and the department of homeland security began inspecting planes and passenger lists, speculation grew over what could have led to such glaring breaches of airport security involving two aircraft.

However, FBI agents were swift to play down the possibility that the items were linked to a hijack plot. Instead, it appeared that they were planted as a bizarre wake-up call to safety inspectors.

"It doesn't appear to be a terrorist event," said the FBI director Robert Mueller. "I think it is safe to fly."

The objects were found in the lavatories of two aircraft operated by Southwest Airlines at Houston and at New Orleans airports. A statement from the airline said the objects appeared to have been planted as a taunt to the transportation security administration.

Airline officials said the knives and notes were found in plastic bags,with the bleach concealed in suntan lotion bottles and modelling clay formed to mimic plastic explosive. The notes complained about lax airport security and included the date and time the items were hidden, one official told Associated Press.

The airline said maintenance workers found the items during routine checks at the two airports. The items appeared "intended to simulate a threat", the statement added.

An airline official said: "The person or persons appear to be targeting the checkpoint security procedures."

By mid-afternoon, the FBI appeared to have reached the conclusion that the items did not pose an immediate threat, and played down suggestions of a hijacking plot.

But for Americans, the episode was uncomfortably reminiscent of September 11, 2001, when hijackers used Stanley knives to attack airline pilots and passengers.

Although a series of rigorous measures have been enacted since then, there is continued criticism of safety standards at America's airports.

On Thursday, James Loy, the head of the transportation security administration, told a congressional committee that his agency lacked the funding to conduct proper screening of airline passengers and their luggage for explosives.

"We can't provide world-class effective security on the cheap," said Mr Loy.