Relaxation of aircraft liquids ban

[MotherBear]

Aircraft liquids ban to be relaxed
Thursday November 2, 06:53 AM

A ban on carrying liquids on board flights will be relaxed next week, it has been confirmed. Passengers are to be allowed to carry small bottles of toiletries as long as they are contained in a clear resealable plastic bag from November 6, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.

Baggage rules have been tightened at UK airports since August 10 when an alleged plot to blow up planes was thwarted.

The restrictions have since been eased gradually, but the ban on liquids has remained - although passengers leaving UK airports for non-USA destinations have been allowed to take items such as toothpaste on board as long as they are bought after passing through security.

Under new arrangements being introduced across the European Union from next week passengers will be allowed to carry small quantities of liquids within separate containers.

The rules restrict each of the individual items to 100ml and containers must be brought to the airport contained in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag - itself no more than a litre in capacity. Other arrangements covering items such as medicines, baby foods and musical instruments will remain as before.

The DfT said that essential medicines and baby food were permitted in larger quantities above the 100ml limit, and large musical instruments can be permitted in addition to the one item of cabin baggage.

A statement from the DfT said: "The security measures introduced at UK airports in August were in response to a very real and serious threat.

"Following consultations with industry and international partners, we can now introduce a change to the ban on taking liquids through the security checkpoint, to add to passenger convenience while continuing to maintain rigorous security."

- Tlhe Press Association