Australian Federal Police have said they have foiled plans for a bomb attack on an aircraft during counter-terrorism raids in which four men were arrested yesterday.
Security has been increased at Australian airports following the raids.
In a press conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull following the raids, Australian Federal Police commissioner Andrew Colvin said: "In recent days, law enforcement has become aware of information that suggested some people in Sydney were planning to commit a terrorist act using an improvised device."
He added: "We do believe it is Islamic-inspired terrorism. Exactly what is behind this is something that we will need to investigate fully"
"At this time we don’t have a great deal of information on the specific attack, the location, date or time. However, we are investigating information indicating that the aviation industry was potentially a target."
Five properties were searched yesterday across Sydney.
The commissioner said four of those searches may continue for days.
A police spokesman said the men had not yet been charged.
Mr Turnbull said advice from Australian security and intelligence agencies had led to increased security measures at Sydney airport on Thursday, while the country's other domestic and international airports were affected from yesterday.
"Some of the measures will be obvious to the public, some will not be," Mr Turnbull said.
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Commissioner Colvin said travellers could expect an increased police and security agency presence at airports.
"You can expect longer delays to make sure that more screening is being done on baggage, both hold luggage as well as hand luggage," adding that travellers should allow more time to get through security, he said.
Mr Turnbull said the alleged plan appeared to be "more in that category of an elaborate plot" rather than designed by a lone wolf, but added that the national terror alert level would remain at probable.
