U.S. intelligence officials arrested a passenger who was reportedly trying to blow up a plane after it landed at Detroit airport, American television said on Saturday.

Sky News quoted a federal investigator as saying the passenger ignited a "powdery substance" on board the Delta Airlines plane after it arrived at Detroit's Metropolitan Airport in Michigan, injuring himself and several other passengers.

The suspect, who was detained immediately after the incident, told investigators that he was directed by Al Qaeda.

The self-proclaimed terrorist was initially believed to have set off firecrackers on board the plane.

Delta Flight 253 was reportedly carrying 278 passengers from the Dutch capital, Amsterdam.

A White House spokesman was quoted by Fox News as saying U.S. President Barack Obama, who is currently in Hawaii with his family, ordered his counterterrorism chief, John Brennan, and other national security officials to take "appropriate measures... to increase security for air travel" after being notified of the incident by a military aide.

"The President is actively monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates," Bill Burton was quoted as saying in a statement.

MOSCOW, December 26 (RIA Novosti)