The decision was made after Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the bombing attempt in a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Detroit, Michigan on Christmas Day.

The United States is working with British authorities closely to support the Yemeni government in its counterterrorism efforts.

In response to the bombing attempt, the U.S Transportation Security Agency (TSA) on January 3 announced its new measures to tighten security screening procedures on any US bound air passenger travelling from countries that sponsor terrorism or other related countries.