Britain has told airports to tighten security checks on flights bound for the United States after a man tried to set off an explosive device on a flight between Amsterdam and Detroit.

A spokesperson for airports operator BAA said today that the Department of Transport had issued a notice to all British airport operators.

"Passengers travelling to the United States should expect their airline to carry out additional security checks prior to boarding," BAA said in a statement, adding that passengers should leave more time to check in.

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