Terror attempt prompts tighter security at airports

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Airports in Western countries beefed up security on Saturday after a man had tried to blow up a U.S.-bound flight during the plane's landing on Friday.

The 23-year-old from Nigeria, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, was subdued by other passengers while trying to ignite an explosive device attached to his body.

The Delta/Northwest Flight 253 was traveling from Amsterdam of the Netherlands to Detroit in Michigan.

The Nigerian was officially charged on Saturday by U.S. authorities with trying to destroy an American plane and the White House said the incident is an act of terrorism.

ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES

In the United States, security authorities did not raise the terrorism alert status from its current "orange" level, but warned that passengers may notice additional screening and security measures at airports in the coming days.

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said that aside from screening at the gates of U.S.-bound international flights, travelers may notice additional security measures that could add travel delays.

"These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere," she said in a statement.

"Both domestic and international travelers should allot extra time for check-in."

U.S. officials said the measures might include added bomb-sniffing dog teams, screening personnel and officers trained to detect behaviors associated with past terror attacks.

According to CNN reports, passengers on international flights coming to the United States will now have to remain in their seats for the last hour of flight without any personal items on their laps.

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

U.S. President Barack Obama, vacationing in Hawaii, was briefed remotely on the heightened security measures by his counter-terrorism adviser, John Brennan, early on Saturday, the White House said.

U.S. House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson said his committee would hold hearings in January to determine whether additional aviation security steps should be implemented.

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee announced that it would also hold hearings in January.