Officials have informed that the United States will begin profiling passengers on inbound flights, responding to a Dec. 25 attempt to blow up a plane en route to Detroit.

It was announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that the new screening system Friday for U.S.-bound flights in which passengers who fit a profile of potential terrorists will be searched before boarding. President Barack Obama has approved the procedures.

The security protocols were more flexible and would apply to all passengers, even U.S. citizens, traveling to the United States, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said.

Napolitano said in a release, "These new measures utilize real-time, threat-based intelligence along with multiple, random layers of security, both seen and unseen, to more effectively mitigate evolving terrorist threats."

Department officials further said that the new measures are part of a threat-based aviation security system focused on efficient and effective safety and security protection for the traveling public.  

Passengers traveling to the United States from abroad could see enhanced security and random screening measures in the passenger check-in and boarding process, including the use of explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams or pat downs.

The terrorist threat in the air is a shared challenge globally and ensuring aviation security a shared responsibility, Napolitano said.

In the Christmas Day incident, a man smuggled explosives onto the plane in Amsterdam, the Netherlands but was subdued after fellow passengers noticed his pants were on fire. The plane landed safely in Detroit. (With Inputs from Agencies)