Duty free risk for Europe-bound air travellers
3 November 2006
Asia Pacific travellers taking a flight which transits through Europe could be in for rude shock from next Monday – some of their duty free purchases could be confiscated by airport security.
Under new European Union (EU) regulations effective from November 6, 2006, passengers on flights from non-EU airports transferring at an EU airport will have any liquids, pastes and gels in containers over 100 ml confiscated at the security checkpoint.
The items will be confiscated even if they were bought at a licensed duty free shop at the originating airport or on board the aircraft en route to the EU airport if it was flown by a non-EU carrier.
According to the President of the European Travel Retail Council (ETRC), Mr. Frank O’Connell, the changes are likely to cause “chaos” at airports throughout Europe.
The new rules are in response to the recent foiled terrorist attacks in the UK, allegedly involving the planned use of liquid explosives on trans-Atlantic flights.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and other industry groups are calling on national governments, security agencies and aviation authorities to come together to develop a consistent set of global guidelines to avoid widespread confusion and disruption.
How do the new EU rules apply?
The confiscation rule does not apply to non-EU passengers who arrive at an EU airport, clear customs and depart the airport. It only applies to those transiting to another destination.
Under the new rules, any passenger departing an EU airport will be allowed to carry small amounts of liquid – such as toiletries, lotions and perfumes – on board within the following limit: a total of 500 ml in five separate containers, each a maximum of 100 ml, carried in a clear plastic re-sealable bag.
Passengers departing EU airports will still be able to purchase duty free goods in sealed bags from airport duty free stores beyond the check-in security control.
The new regulations make an exception for medicines and dietary supplements needed during a trip, including baby food.
Why have they been introduced?
According to EC Vice-President in charge of Transport, Mr. Jacques Barrot, the restrictions will make it difficult for terrorists to create a liquid explosive of sufficient size to pose a serious threat to an aircraft.
“The threat of liquid explosives is real,” Mr. Barrot says in an EC media release. “The new regulations will plug a gap in our defences by restricting liquids that passengers can carry past screening points and on board aircraft.”
Why haven’t travellers been given more notice?
The new regulations were first announced by the European Commission (EC) in Brussels on October 5, 2006, but it has taken several weeks for the full impact of the changes to be communicated to the travel industry.
Travel industry leaders are seriously concerned the Commission has not allowed sufficient time for all the players in this process, such as national governments, airports, airlines, duty free operators and, of course, air travellers, to be advised of the changes.
What is the situation in other parts of the world?
According to the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), the US Transportation Safety Administration has given “interim in-principle agreement” to the EU rules. But different regulations currently apply for travellers entering and departing North America.
What should travellers do?
Follow the rules. If you’re a non-EU traveller transiting through Europe and you want to take a bottle of liquor or eau de cologne over 100 ml to your final destination, make sure you purchase it at a duty free store beyond check-in at the EU transit airport – and not at your point of departure or on board the aircraft if you are travelling on a non-EU airline.
What does PATA have to say?
“Passenger safety is paramount,” said PATA President and CEO, Mr. Peter de Jong. “But any new security procedures need to be applied consistently and communicated effectively to both travellers and the travel industry to avoid confusion and disruption. We urgently need one set of rules that apply universally.”
What do other industry groups have to say?
International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific, Mr. Andrew Drysdale confirmed that IATA had advised all its member airlines of the changes over the past few days.
CAPA Managing Director, Mr. Peter Harbison, said there was an urgent need for airports to educate their staff and to ensure that airport retailers were well aware of the complex but rigid rules about to be imposed so that traveller confusion could be minimised.
Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) Board member, Mr. Joel Lafon, said that APTRA had informed its members of the changes, was in close contact with the ETRC and supported the development of a model for a globally-accepted, transparent, tamper-evident, sealable bag, which had yet to be approved by the EU.
