Known as the 'Underwear Bomber,' he attempted a 2009 Christmas Day attack on a Detroit-bound flight; his case catalyzed changes in US aviation security and counterterrorism policy.
Since the 1988 Lockerbie bombing through 9/11 and beyond, aviation security has evolved with layered safeguards. Agencies have expanded screening, tightened luggage rules, and created TSA to oversee passenger and baggage checks, while balancing civil liberties concerns as threats persisted.