The nationwide warning bulletin sent out by the FBI and DHS on the potential terrorist threat from lasers to airliners is not entirely a surprise. The bulletin is interesting in that it does not discuss a specific threat or any currently known threat, but it mentions that terrorists have explored using laser as weapons. However, there is no specific information on which terrorist group or how they are exploring the potential use of lasers as a weapon. The potential threat from lasers used against operators of fixed wing or rotary aircraft has always existed, and there have been incidents where a pilot or cockpit occupant has been injured?typically temporarily blinded–but still managed to land their aircraft safely. The fear emulating from this bulletin is the risk of a crash if both pilots or operators become disabled in a non-instrument landing or cannot recover quickly enough during a crucial time. Lasers are also thought to be relatively inexpensive, portable, easy to conceal, and, most importantly, available.

The most recent incident involved a Delta Airlines flight landing in Salt Lake City in September. The incident is still being investigated as to whether it was accidental or deliberate. The Chairman of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) National Security sub-committee has also pointed out that there has been a recent increase in these types of incidents in the last few months, and some of them appear to be intentional, but it is not known why.