ETRC: exempt airside purchases from security measures

Gavin Lipsith

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Liquids and gels purchased in post-security stores should not be subject to extended airport security measures proposed by the European Commission, say industry lobbyists

The European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) has voiced further concerns over new European Commission proposals outlining options for harmonised airport security measures across Europe. The statement follows meetings in Brussels earlier this week when security experts from the Commission and the 25 EU member states discussed the proposals.

The options include extending the list of prohibited items in cabin baggage and an outright ban on liquids, gels and pastes in hand luggage. ETRC argued that "the prospect of new security measures, and uncertainty as to when and how these measures will be introduced, will compound [the negative effect felt since the foiled UK terror plot on August 10] on airport shopping".

In a statement ETRC said: "ETRC is encouraged by the consensus among EU member states that new security measures should not hinder airport shopping. An outright ban would effectively prohibit most airport shopping, would result in job losses and would harm dozens of predominantly European suppliers whose products are sold in airport shops."

ETRC has proposed three measures that would protect airport duty-free sales. As previously reported, one is the sealed bag system for locations where shops are located between emigration and final security checks. Secondly, it has asked that liquids in airport stores be exempted from any further hand baggage restrictions given the robust supply chain fro products in these stores. Finally, it urged the Commission and EU member states to agree on new measures quickly to end the current uncertainty over restrictions.