EUROPE. Encouraging reports are coming in that suggest the carry-on of duty free liquid items such as fragrance and liquor will get the all-clear in European airports – subject in some cases to being put into sealed bags.
European Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said during a press conference yesterday that new proposals pertaining to hand baggage had been “agreed” by the European Commission. They were reported to be much less restrictive than the original and evolved constraints imposed since the 10 August UK terror alert. The Moodie Report has learned this morning from duty free industry insiders that the developments are indeed “positive”.
“Following the incidents of this summer we have sought to introduce a response proportional to the needs of security,” Barrot said. “We have decided to restrict the amount of liquid allowed in hand luggage.”
“We believe we have found a good balance between the need for more security and the need to keep air transport fairly easy and smooth which is in the interest of passenger and the air transport industry,” he was quoted as saying.
“We welcome what the Commissioner said in ensuring that the commercial activities of the airports are protected as much as possible“ |
John Hume, Hume Brophy Communications (ETRC) |
The reports said that maximum container sizes will be introduced, allowing travellers to bring small shampoo and perfume bottles onboard – purchased pre-arrival at the airport.
Importantly, duty free airport purchases (including liquid items) will be allowed to be taken onboard – provided they are in sealed bags in the case of US-bound flights or in locations where the airside shops are not in secure locations.
John Hume of Hume Brophy Communications, which has been retained by the European Travel Retail Council to work on the issue, told The Moodie Report this morning: “We welcome what the Commissioner said in ensuring that the commercial activities of the airports are protected as much as possible. We’re working with him in providing as much input as we can to ensure that any new regime gets to combine optimum security arrangements with business as normal.”
COMMENT: On a matter as sensitive and complex as airport, airline and national security, negotiations over commercial interests obviously need to be handled with utmost delicacy. The duty free industry representatives therefore will be wary of too many public pronouncements at this point – though they are clearly pleased with progress.
The industry has been particularly pro-active on the ‘sealed bag’ solution and it seems highly likely that such a concept will form the heart of what one observer called ‘a new normal’ that should be in operational practice by mid-November latest. Given the various bleak scenarios that could have emerged for the duty free business, that is progress indeed.
MORE STORIES ON THE SECURITY CRISIS
Japanese visitors to UK dip in wake of terror alert but European market stays strong – 05/09/06
Crisis update: Duty Free World Council urges calm; Canada inches nearer a solution – 18/08/06
