Airport Liquid Restrictions Until 2013

Airport liquid restrictions could potentially remain enforced well into 2013, in line with a draft regulation put forward by the European Commission, Airport International has learnt. Although not yet implemented (European parliament approval needs to be obtained first), the regulation would bring with it the need for millions of travellers to carry on depositing their drinks, hand creams, shampoos and other liquid products over 100 millilitres in size at airport security gates.

The new regulation puts forward the notion of a layered approach to airport liquid security programmes. The liquid ban would generally remain enforced, but removed from particular airports once they are in possession of appropriate liquid screening technologies. This being the case, travellers could transit between airports where the ban has been lifted, and those where restrictions are still required.

“This way, airports would be able to facilitate the carriage of liquids by departing passengers by deploying, for example, screening equipment for liquid explosives at one security check lane”, the Guardian publication quoted the document as having stated. It added: “Furthermore, some airports may choose to install advanced equipment more quickly.”

Airport Liquid Security Technology

According to the EC, airport liquid security technology should be a part of every airport’s security network by the end of 2012.

The current airport liquid restrictions have now been in place for over three years. They were introduced after a plot was uncovered to smuggle liquid explosives on board transatlantic airliners and detonate them, mid-flight. The liquid limitations have had a significant effect on the way airports in Europe have been run since that time. In the UK, for example, the combined costs of employing additional security personnel and creating additional lanes have amounted to approximately £100 million. At the UK’s largest and busiest airport, London Heathrow, annual liquid confiscation levels are running to 2,000 tons worth.

Airport Screening Technology

Two prominent airport screening technology manufacturers, Smiths Detection and Rapiscan, have proposed that the airport liquid ban could be reversed ahead of time, since their range of scanners are capable of carrying out liquid checks once new software has been introduced. Regulatory approval of the software is now required before, in many instances, airports are allowed to bring it into play. Airport operating group BAA – owner of a number of UK airports including London Heathrow and London Stansted –employs Smiths’ Advanced Threat Identification X-ray (ATIX) scanning system, which is capable of analysing potentially high-risk liquids once new software has been added.

Given that there is a three-month window for the European Parliament to consider the new airport liquid regulation, a final decision may not be likely until early 2010.

See also:

UK Airport Liquid Scanning Trials

Smiths Portable Liquid Scanners for US Airports

Companies Providing Liquid Explosive Screening