Air Terror - What is the point?

Nomen Nescio wrote:
This shows how stupid these terrorists really are. They pick the
hardest targets, airports and airliners. They have to spend years and
years planning the attacks, coming up with ways to try to get around
all the security. If they had any smarts they would be bombing
shopping malls and other public places open to everyone.

But, as proven by this latest media spectacle, they don't even have to
get a bomb on a plane to cause massive disruption to Joe Sixpack (and,
consequently, serious economic harm to the airlines). Even with an
attack that's been a total failure on their part, they've had a
significant impact on the Western world... I know at least two people
who've cancelled travel plans for the next few months, and less due to
the attack plans than the 'security' crap imposed as a result.

Mark