Air passengers to the United States are facing delays of up to three hours and increased security including “pat-down” checks, a hand luggage check at the gate and increased boarding time, due to the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas Day.
All passengers on flights into the US are also required to stay in their seats an hour before the aircraft lands. Airports worldwide have also increased security after an attemped terrorist attack on a flight into Detroit on Christmas Day.
The 23-year old Nigerian suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, was charged, with attempting to destroy the plane on its final approach to Michigan’s Detroit Metropolitan Airport and placing a destructive device on the aircraft, the US Department of Justice revealed. Reports claims a second Nigerian man has been arrested on the same route.
The Nigerian, who is reported to have links to al-Qaeda, attempted to detonate a mixture of powder and liquid on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam. The mixture failed to ignite and the flight landed safely after the man was overpowered by passengers and crew. The explosives are believed to have been moulded onto his body and sewn in to his underwear.
His father, a top Nigerian banker, is reported to have contacted the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria with concerns his son was planning something, reports claim.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson has admitted the man was refused a visa 14 months ago and was placed on a security list after he applied to study at a non-existent college.
US President Barack Obama has ordered a fresh review of the screening processes at airports.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement saying that it “immediately put additional screening measures into place—for all domestic and international flights—to ensure the continued safety of the travelling public.”
Passengers flying to the US are being advised to leave extra time to check in and limit the amount of hand baggage they carry.