Dubai joins list of countries seeking mutual recognition

Gavin Lipsith

Print Article E-Mail Article E-Mail Author

The European Travel Retail Council has reported that Dubai has joined Australia, Argentina, Croatia and Singapore in applying for recognition of its liquids security standards

Dubai has become the first Gulf state to apply for its liquids security restrictions to be approved by the European Commission, granting originating passengers the right to transfer within Europe and keep their duty-free purchases. The move was reported by European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) president Frank O’Connell at the TFWA conference in Cannes this morning.

O’Connell reported that the European Commission would now send a delegation to verify Dubai’s security measures on site. However, he said that it would make sense if the delegation also visited other Gulf states to grant them approval at the same time, although this could only happen after they apply for approval. O’Connell added that there was no reason why the Gulf states should not apply; They recognise the Commission’s competence on aviation and have security standards above guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Urging greater industry action in persuading governments to apply for approval, O’Connell said: “The ball is in our court. The ETRC stands ready to help you, but the responsibility is yours...and it has to happen now.”