US authorities yesterday issued advice to stranded Americans running out of money after airlines stopped picking up the bills for diverted passengers.

On Tuesday, five US-bound flights had to land in Bermuda as US airports shut down after plane hijackers killed hundreds of people in New York and Washington.

Airlines paid for around 890 passengers who were forced to stay overnight on the island.

But this changed yesterday. Acting US Consul Jennifer Schools said: "I called the airport and there is no airline paying for the rooms.

"That's normal, it isn't the airline's problems but it's an economic problem.

"I am hearing people ask how can they pay for extra nights."

She urged people to call home to get their limits raised on their credit cards or wire money via Western Union or American Express which have offices in Bermuda.

Loans from the US Consulate are another option said Ms Schools but she urged this as a last resort.

She said: "It takes 24 hours to get them and if you don't pay them back your passport won't be renewed."