Fears of terrorist reprisal after the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at the hands of US operatives has prompted airports in the New York area to boost security, officials told the German Press Agency DPA on Monday.
A spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey told dpa that the heightened security measures had been agreed upon shortly after US President Barack Obama announced bin Laden's death late Sunday.
As well as boosting security at John F Kennedy, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia airports, officials had also tightened controls at key bridges and tunnels funneling traffic to the metropolis of 15 million people.
The spokesman would not comment on precise numbers of police, snipers or security dogs that had been called to duty to provide the added security.