UK. The UK Department for Transport has said that from next month, 1% of LAGs (liquids, aerosols and gels) in passengers’ transparent re-sealable bags will be tested at security checkpoints. That number will increase to 5% from 3 September.
The move has prompted fears of even longer waiting times at security points, and reduced airside dwell times. European Travel Retail Council Director General Keith Spinks told The Moodie Report that travel retail LAGs purchases, carried in sealed tamper-evident bags, would be exempted from the measure.
He said: “A percentage of passengers in the UK will have their personal liquids in the 1-litre transparent re-sealable bag checked at airport security screening, landside to airside. LAGs in tamper evident bags are not included in this requirement.”
Airlines have already reacted angrily to the move. The European Regions Airline Association attacked the plan at its recent conference in Lisbon. President Antonis Simigdalas said: “We have been surprised by this introduction, in a very hasty manner with no consultation. We are asking what the justification is for such a cumbersome and seriously disrupting measure.”
Director General Mike Ambrose said the new policy will cause delays and reduce airport throughput. He added: “If the UK is arguing that it’s essential then it will apply pressure to other states to copy.”
MORE ON THE AVIATION SECURITY CRISIS
Singapore issues LAGs guidelines as 8 May deadline looms for new security measures – 10/04/07
Aviation security update: ICAO issues critical new letter to civil aviation authorities – 02/04/07
Australian off-airport duty free gains last-minute liquid reprieve – 30/03/07
