The leaking of two independent reports examining aviation security in Canada has revealed what could potentially turn out to be an Achilles heel of airline and airport security.

CTV News said it obtained reviews conducted by the federal panel Aviation Security Panel, and a separate audit of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) by the auditor general, whose findings were not made public.

The reviews found that about 70 per cent of air cargo transported in the bellyhold of passenger planes was not being properly screened, although all passenger baggage was screened in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks on New York and Washington. The article noted that suitcases laden with explosives hidden inside the cargo hold caused the Air India tragedy in 1985.

The panel called for all cargo to be screened as in Britain. It also noted that another major lapse in airport security involved a failure to screen executive jets and charter flights despite 9/11 demonstrating that a large plane could be used as a lethal weapon in a terrorist attack.

Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon was reported to have told CTV News that he is reviewing the reports to improve aviation security, adding that all air cargo would eventually be screened.