CANBERRA, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Australians and foreigners traveling both domestically and internationally from Australia's airports should be prepared to face tighter security measures at airports, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Sunday, after authorities thwarted an apparent plot to "bring down an airplane" overnight.
Four men were arrested after authorities undertook raids across Australia's largest city, Sydney, on Saturday night, following a tip-off about a plot to bring down an Australian aircraft using an "improvised explosive device" (IED).
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Turnbull said that airport security had been beefed up across the nation as a result of the terror threat, and warned Australians and visitors that they may face delays unless they cooperate with the new measures.
He said that travelers flying domestically may be required to arrive at the airport up to two hours before their scheduled flight, as additional, international-style screening may need to take place.
"Our number one priority is to keep you safe," Turnbull said, "Some of the measures will be obvious to the public, some will not be. Travelers should be prepared for additional scrutiny at screening points."
He said airport security would also be screening baggage more closely in the wake of the foiled plot, urging passengers to limit their carry-on and checked luggage to "necessary items" to avoid delays.
"They should limit the amount of carry-on and checked baggage so far as possible, as this will help to ensure that security screening is efficient," Turnbull said.
In the wake of the threat, Australia's national terror threat level remains at "probable," the level it has been since 2014.
