New EU security arrangements agreed

Created on 5th of October 2006

A range of new security measures to be introduced at European airports was agreed at a meeting of the EU Regulatory Committee on Aviation Security (AVSEC) held in Brussels on 27 September 2006.

The new measures agreed by AVSEC provide that:-

- Passengers will have a liquid allowance that they make take from landside to airside, comprising a 100ml limit per individual item, with a maximum of what can be fitted into a one litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag to be presented for security screening.

- The size of cabin baggage allowed will be 56cmx45cmx25cm, with the possibility of some exemptions, eg for musical instruments.

- Passengers will be required to remove coats and jackets at security checkpoints.

- Laptops and large electrical items must be removed from bags at security checkpoints.

In addition there are two important new provisions regarding the purchase of liquids, gels and pastes from airside retail outlets:-

- Liquids, gels and pastes purchased from retail outlets beyond the point where boarding passes are controlled will not be affected by any new security measure. Passengers will be able to shop as normal in all airside shops.

- Goods bought by transfer passengers or by passengers on the outward leg of a same day return journey should be placed in sealed bags which will be recognised as secure within all EU airports and therefore will not be treated as part of the new personal landside to airside liquid allowance.

The new measures will come into force in early November, twenty days after their publication in the Offical Journal of the EU. They will however also be subject to six-monthly reviews by the AVSEC Committee.

Printer Friendly Version

Choose preferred Font: (Arial|Times New Roman| Courier New)