Recent Attempt by a Terrorist Aboard Delta Airlines Aborted at Detroit

This past weekend Detroit avoided a bomb attempt by a male Nigerian passenger, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, aboard a Delta airplane. He originally boarded a Northwest Airlines flight in Nigeria on Friday, December 25^th. From Nigeria the flight flew to Amsterdam. The final destination was Detroit where Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to ignite an explosive as the airplane was preparing to land.

Airline shares fell on Monday morning trading with fears that new security restrictions would swiftly be implemented because of an attempt by Abdulmutallab to blow up an airplane. With the recent security threat, business travel on lucrative international routes could be curtailed. Airline travel could become more burdensome. Passengers could face longer lines at airport checkpoints. Also passengers could have less freedom to move around the airplane. Holiday travelers might tolerate these new inconveniences though.

Airlines are alarmed by new procedures being implemented since this past weekends security threat. Airline officials are asking federal officials to make new security measures more palatable for passengers. Business travelers are key customers for airlines. If recent security measures require additional time spent at the airport, business travelers might think twice before flying. Or smaller business jets could be used by business travelers.This would bypass additional security measures and shorten time spent at the airport.

Government officials aren't giving new details of the additional security required at airports or how long they are in effect. New limits vary be airport to airport.

Most recently an Air Canada flight, from Toronto to New York's La Guardia airport, asked passengers within the last hour of the flight to remain in their seats. Passengers weren't allowed to use electronic devices or access personal belongings.

Also last weekend an international flight prior to its destination had flight attendants remove blankets from passengers. Overhead bins were also off limits for passengers. Airline passengers had to stay in their seats and keep their hands in plain site.The recent security issue this past weekend in Detroit is making flight attendants more vigilant.

New concerns are being addressed on how Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was able to instigate a security issue this past weekend since security at airports had been stepped up resulting from the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Abdulmutallab's father raised recent concerns several weeks ago to US officials about his son's possible terrorist activities. However government officials found the father's information to be vague.

Information in this article from AP News at Comcast.net on Monday, December 28, 2009.