A second Nigerian passenger was removed from a Delta Air Lines Amsterdam-Detroit flight on 27 December after behaving unusually, two days after a Nigerian's attempt to blow up a Delta aircraft on the same route was foiled.
In the latest incident, the passenger in question spent an extended period of time in the aircraft's lavatory, says the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The passenger was removed from Flight 253 and questioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
"Indications at this time are that the individual's behaviour is due to legitimate illness," says DHS. The agency says no other suspicious behaviour or materials have been found.
The incident occurred after a foiled attempt by Nigerian national Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to use an explosive device to destroy an Airbus A330 aircraft operating on the same flight on 25 December.
In the aftermath of that incident, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has imposed additional security measures on the last point of departure for flights to the USA.
Those measures include increased gate screening at international airports and requirements of passengers to stow personal items during flight, turn off electronic equipment and remain seated during certain portions of flight.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
