EU likely to limit liquids in hand luggage

Emily Pacey

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The European Commission is set to restrict the amount of liquids allowed in air passengers' hand luggage, with a total ban likely to be ruled out. ETRC executives report an "encouraging meeting" with EC officials on September 13

European Union officials are close to agreeing new aviation security regulations limiting the amount of liquids that passengers are allowed to carry on board flights. Reports indicate that the rules will permit passengers to bring toiletry items on board but will limit the amount of liquids allowed, pending calculations by experts on how much liquid would be needed to create an explosive.

EU transport commissioner Jacques Barrot said in a press conference yesterday: "Following all the incidents this summer, we have tried to come up with proportionate responses to the increased need for security. We will have to restrict—and I think restrict and not ban—the amount of liquid carried in hand luggage.

"There should be provisions to reduce the size of hand luggage allowed and [we will have to] come up with some solutions that would allow airport trade to continue."

New EU rules are likely to introduce maximum container sizes and will probably allow people to bring small bottles of shampoo and perfume on board. Limits on the size of carry-on bags will probably be based on existing International Air Transport Association standards.

Barrot added: "We have found a good balance between the need for more security and the need to keep air transport easy and smooth, which is in the interest of the passengers and the air transport industry.

Lobbyists from the European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) met senior EC officials in Brussels on September 13 to discuss the proposals to enhance security at EU and other European airports following the security alert at London Heathrow last month.

During the meeting, ETRC presented its paper on why gate delivery for post-security retail sales is, as it described in a statement, "unworkable within Europe". ETRC and EC officials also discussed the council's proposals for a sealed bag system at airside shops, where goods are subject to prior security screening.

The EC has invited ETRC to prepare a further paper on the security of supply lines to airside retail to strengthen its argument about the effectiveness of security screening. ETRC was also invited to attend the next meeting of the EU's Security Advisory Group on Aviation Security.

Lobbying and public relations agency Hume Brophy Communications, which specialises in aviation issues, has been retained by ETRC to work on the issue. Partner John Hume told RavenFox.com, "We are working very closely with the commission and with national governments across Europe on this issue, and we are hopeful that we will end up with a regime that will optimise security, minimise hassle to the passenger and ensure that we can trade much as normal.

"Jacques Barrot's statement was very positive. It shows that the European Commission does take our concerns seriously, is receptive to our needs and is working very positively with us. We will be endeavouring over the coming weeks, until the legislation comes through, to work with them to ensure a new system which meets everyone's needs."