"Boeing respectfully disagrees with elements of this GAO report… The report contains some key technical and factual information that is incorrect and should not be considered," Doug Alder said.
The Boeing spokesman pointed out that in-flight entertainment systems on commercial airplanes are isolated from those providing flight navigation, which makes infiltration impossible.
"While these [entertainment] systems receive position data and have communication links, the design isolates them from the other systems on airplanes performing critical and essential functions," the spokesman said.
Boeing airplanes have redundant navigational system, he stressed. "No changes to the flight plans loaded into the airplane systems can take place without pilot review and approval. In addition, other systems, multiple security measures, and flight deck operating procedures help to ensure safe and secure airplane operations."
GAO recommended that plane manufacturers conduct large-scale threat modeling to identify potential flaws in plane security.
