EC and US to relax liquids rules

Emily Pacey

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Passengers will be allowed to buy liquids at airside shops next month, pending final approval of the new rules proposed by the EC's Regulatory Committee for Civil Aviation Security. The Committee concluded at a meeting on September 27 that airport shoppers will soon be able to buy liquids at normal levels at stores located beyond security.

Passengers will be allowed to buy liquids at airside shops next month, pending final approval of the new rules proposed by the EC's Regulatory Committee for Civil Aviation Security. The Committee concluded at a meeting on September 27 that airport shoppers will soon be able to buy liquids at normal levels at stores located beyond security.

However, the new regulations would limit the individual quantities of liquids carried by passengers crossing from landside to airside to 100ml per container. Up to one litre of liquids could be carried in a re-sealable plastic bag, which passengers would be required to present at security checkpoints. The 100ml unit has been deemed too small for liquids to present a danger.

In the US, the Transport Security Administration (TSA) also announced that changes to the liquids regulations effecting the US and Canada will be timed to coincide with the implementation of the new European rules. Passengers will be allowed to carry liquids up to 3 fluid oz (88.7ml) that fit into a one quart-size (O.94 litres) re-sealable clear plastic bag through security checkpoints. Passengers may also buy liquids purchased in stores after the last boarding pass checkpoint.

Restrictions will be placed on transfer and same-day passengers in the EU, who will be required to have their duty-free liquid items sealed in tamper-proof bags.

EC vice-president Jacques Barrot said, "I warmly welcome the results of the Committee meeting, which strike the necessary balance between a tough approach on security, the comfort of passengers and the needs of the industry."

Barrot will submit a proposal to the college of commissioners on October 4 with the new rules coming into force twenty days after that, pending their approval.