You should read more attentively A., you are missing some key points.
If you read the story you find that the intelligence estimate is several years old (2011) and refers to domestic groups, not international terrorists.
From The Article:
“As of mid-2011, terrorist threat groups present in the Homeland are not known to be actively plotting against civil aviation targets or airports; instead, their focus is on fundraising, recruiting, and propagandizing.”
In any event it appears that this information is outdated and no longer relevant given the recent reports from aircraft crews observing what they believe to be either probes of security or dry runs for attacks on planes.
Pilots union warns of possible terrorism 'dry runs'
An internal memo from the union representing US Airways pilots details a frightening incident that brings back memories of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, WTSP-TV in Tampa-St. Petersburg reports.
The US Airlines Pilots Association memo says "there have been several cases recently throughout the (airline) industry of what appear to be probes, or dry runs, to test our procedures and reaction to an in-flight threat."
The pilots say the most recent dry run occurred on Flight 1880 on Sept. 2.
Pilots union warns of 'dry run' by possible terrorists on US flight
"Bringing down an airliner continues to be the Gold Standard of terrorism," states the undated memo, first reported by WTSP-TV in Tampa-St. Petersburg. "If anyone thinks that our enemies have “been there, done that” and are not targeting U.S. commercial aviation -- think again." ...
According to the memo, the pilot of a subsequent, return flight bearing the same flight number, 1880, ordered an inspection of the plane after eight women in burkas showed up at the boarding gate. The memo claims that "evidence of tampering was found," though it does not elaborate.
One expert speculated that the efforts may have been aimed at sizing up security procedures and spotting air marshals aboard flights. ...
Experts said the incident could be an indication of another attempt to detonate a bomb aboard an airplane while midflight. Ret. Col. Mike Pheneger, former director of intelligence at Special Operations Command, said it’s “impossible” to absolutely prevent terrorist attacks.
"We can only make it more difficult for people to attack an airplane or a facility,” he said. “We can't make it impossible. We have to be lucky 100 percent of the time and they only have to be lucky once."
As to the fund raising, some of it is no doubt related to cigarette smuggling.
Tobacco and Terror: How Cigarette Smuggling is Funding our Enemies Abroad (.pdf)
It has been well-reported that terrorist and criminal organizations are conducting illicit business operations within the United States, sending the profits overseas to finance domestic and international terrorist and criminal organizations. Recent law enforcement investigations have revealed that those profits, estimated to be in the millions of dollars annually in the United States alone, are generated in part by illicit cigarette trafficking. ... Recent law enforcement investigations, however, have directly linked those involved in illicit tobacco trade to infamous terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and al Qaeda.
The world hasn't "moved on," it is simply not paying attention.... again.
