MANILA, Philippines – Airport authorities on Saturday assured passengers that there is no cause for alarm following an attempt by a Nigerian man to bomb a US plane bound for Detroit.

In a press statement, the management of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) advised passengers to proceed with their local or overseas travel plans. He said security measures at the NAIA terminals remain in place.

"It is a season to celebrate and that is exactly what we want our airline passengers to do - move on with their planned vacations here and abroad. Let us, the Airport Authority, handle their security and safety," said Alfonso Cusi, General Manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

Cusi tasked Angel Atutubo, MIAA Assistant General Manager for Security and Emergency Services, to ensure maximum police visibility at the baggage build-up and public areas. He also ordered the deployment of K-9 dogs.

Cusi said high vigilance at the initial and final x-rays is being practiced to thwart any attempt to bring in hazardous materials or explosive devices. Body frisking will be implemented as necessary on all flights.

"I have also called upon P/Dir Edwin Corvera of the (Philippine National Police) PNP-Aviation Security Group to ensure that any attempt to disturb flight operations through acts of unlawful interference is avoided," Cusi said.

Cusi added: “We would rather have people complain about redundancy checks, than be blamed for lives lost because we did not do our job".

Agence France-Presse reported that a Nigerian man with reported links to Al-Qaeda tried to blow up a Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit with a new type of explosive device Friday. The man was tackled by passengers in what officials said was an attempted Christmas Day terror attack. The plane came from Nigeria passed through Amsterdam enroute to Detroit. With Agence France-Presse