FBI: Al-Qaida target helicopters and limousines

THE FBI is warning that al-Qaida could attempt to commandeer helicopters, limousines and other rental vehicles to launch attacks inside the United States.

Helicopters are more manoeuverable than fixed-wing airplanes, especially in urban areas such as New York, and the FBI said they also have a "non-threatening appearance" that might allow them to fly undetected and be crashed into buildings.

"Al-Qaida has apparently considered the use of helicopters as an alternative to recruiting operatives for fixed-wing aircraft," said the bulletin, sent Friday night to police and other government officials nationwide and obtained yesterday.