British Airways suspends onboard duty-free

Lorna Strickland

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British Airways has voluntarily removed its duty-free offer from all its aircraft leaving UK airports

British Airways has confirmed to RavenFox.com that it has voluntarily removed all its duty-free goods from every one of its aircrafts leaving the UK.

A British Airways spokesperson said: "We considered just making it applicable for US-bound aircraft but have decided for our own safety and for passengers' safety to remove the entire duty-free programme for every flight."

"This is for a number of reasons. Passengers are unable to carry liquid onboard with them. This means that they aren't able to bring their own bottles of water with them for long-haul or short-haul flights. We are in the process of restocking every trolley with extra food and beverage provisions to give out to passengers."

While airport security measures impinge on groundstore liquor and fragrance sales, airline sales should be booming. Current security rules mean that airlines are still able to continue selling onboard, including liquor and fragrances.

British Airways' voluntary removal of its duty-free programme is in contrast to the stance taken by long-haul rival Virgin Atlantic. Earlier today Virgin Atlantic confirmed to RavenFox.com that duty-free sales are booming as a direct result of stringent airport security, especially the ruling that duty-free liquor must be consumed before boarding.

The impossible ruling that fragrances must be consumed before boarding is also having a direct result on sales in Virgin Atlantic's beauty category, a spokesperson for the airline said.

The Department for Transport confirmed to RavenFox.com that heightened security measures at UK airports "may remain for some time. While we are at this critical level of security I foresee that we will continue to maintain the stance we have taken."

Keep an eye on RavenFox.com for further updates as they emerge.