European Parliament approves resolution to relax LAGs restrictions - UPDATE

Nicole Mezzasalma

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MEPs vote in favour of LAGs regulations review, but EU transport commissioner defends status quo

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution to relax the restrictions imposed by the European Commission on carrying liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) on board aeroplanes. The ruling—approved with 464 votes in favour, 158 against and 70 abstentions—calls upon the Commission to urgently review or even repeal Regulation (EC) No 1546/2006, passed in November 2006 after an alleged terrorist plot to target US-bound planes out of London Heathrow airport using liquid explosives. Another amendment to the regulation—asking for the ruling to be repealed if no further conclusive facts are brought forward—was adopted with 382 votes in favour, 298 against and 15 abstentions.

In the resolution, MEPs have expressed their concern that the increase in costs brought about by the regulation could be disproportionate to the value achieved by additional security provisions. Airports, operators and passengers have all been affected by the rules, either through a drop in sales or through confiscations.

MEPs added that security measures should be “realistically” designed to minimise risks. They said that the Commission should publish and make available to citizens the full text of the prohibitions and restrictions that might affect them, as well as the list of exceptions and the reasons for the measure.

However, news agencies have reported that EU transport commissioner Jacques Barrot has already rejected the appeal to drop LAGs regulations, mentioning recent arrests in Britain, Germany and Denmark as evidence that the threat posed by terrorists is far from over. He said that the regulation is regularly reviewed by the Commission, but there are no plans to revoke it at the moment.