U.S. imposes more restrictions on air travelers after terrorism attempt

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. authorities imposed more restrictions on air travelers on Saturday after a terrorism attempt on a Delta Airlines flight Friday.

Among other steps being imposed, passengers on international flights coming to the United States will have to remain in their seats for the last hour of a flight without any personal items on their laps, CNN reported.

Overseas passengers will be restricted to only one carry-on item aboard the plane, and domestic passengers will probably face longer security lines.

The restrictions will again change the routine of air travel, which has undergone an upheaval since the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001.

The limits, which brought to mind some of the most stringent policies after the 2001 attacks, come at a difficult time for the airline industry.

Travel has declined about 20 percent since 2008 because of the economy, and airlines have been dealing with numerous delays the past week because of snowstorms on the East Coast and in the Midwest.

A Nigerian man suspected of extremist affiliation ignited a small explosive device on a Delta Airlines flight during its landing in Detroit, Mich., on Friday, and the White House said it is an "attempted act of terrorism."

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the 23-year-old suspect, was officially charged by U.S. authorities on Saturday with attempting to destroy a U.S. passenger plane.