Tackling hijacking with technology

Although this week's hijacking of a Turkish passenger jet ended peacefully, the incident did little for the nerves of air travelers, already shaken by August's alleged terror plot to blow up trans-Atlantic airliners mid-flight.

But a European Union initiative to develop on-board security technology could soon provide planes, pilots and passengers with an extra line of defense.

Developers involved in the 38-million euro ($46 million) project known as SAFEE -- Security of Aircraft in the Future European Environment -- claim the system would render aircraft impenetrable to hijack or terrorist attack.

Backed by a consortium of 31 companies, including aeronautical industry giants Airbus and BAE Systems, SAFEE has been in development for four years.