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Passengers� request for ticket refunds on United States routes have increased significantly since the killing of al-Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden. Since May 1 when bin Laden, world�s most wanted terrorist was killed by the United States elite (SEAL) squad, there have been fears among air travellers of a possible reprisal attack on passengers either at the airports or while airborne. A cross-section of travelers, who spoke with BusinessDay at the nation�s main aviation gateway, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, said though the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had assured of safe flights, fliers, especially those heading to US or Europe, still entertain serious fears. Some travelers said though they were yet to ask for refunds of for tickets on the Nigeria-US-Europe routes, they knew of several travellers who have asked airlines like Delta, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, among others to defer their travel dates. �It is normal for people to panic over the U.S action against the al-Qaeda leader because of fears of reprisal attacks by his followers, but we are optimistic that we have safe trips everyday,� Bimbola Adewaye, a traveler told BusinessDay at the Lagos airport. Meanwhile, a company that provides data to U.S. airlines says customer requests for refunds have risen since the death of Osama bin Laden, suggesting that some travellers fear terrorists will seek to retaliate bin Laden�s death. TBD news, owned by Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), said last week that refunds for airline tickets sold by U.S. travel agents and online travel companies rose to 33,518 on Monday and Tuesday, two weeks ago, compared to 24,146 recorded on the same days a week earlier. The refunds, processed Monday and Tuesday, represent 2.6 percent of the air-travel tickets outstanding during that period. A week earlier, refunds were processed for 1.9 percent of outstanding tickets, ARC said. It would be recalled that Bin Laden�s al-Qaeda terror network confirmed his death on Friday and vowed revenge for the U.S. commando raid against bin Laden at his hideout in Pakistan. Documents taken from the house revealed plans to derail a U.S. train on the 10th anniversary of al-Qaeda�s 2001 terror attacks that involved the hijack of American Airlines and United Airlines planes which were crashed into the twin towers. The American Federal Investigation Bureau (FBI) had also warned law enforcement officials around the country that bin Laden�s death could inspire retaliatory attacks in the US. Air travellers have become accustomed to rigorous security measures since the 2001 attacks, including removing their shoes and jackets at security checkpoints and being subjected to full-body viewing through scanners that penetrate clothing. Last week, the NCAAD Director General, Harold Demuren, gave assurance that his outfit has put all security agencies at airports on alert to nip in the bud any plan to thwart security efforts. �We have asked security agents to deny anybody who refuses screening before boarding an aircraft from Nigeria; we will not tolerate any attempt to frustrate our security screening.� Also, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) arrested 138 persons last week for loitering around the airports. Experts have also tasked security agents to increase screening of cargoes and luggage that could also be potential hiding places for harmful elements.