Ban on carrying liquids through airport checkpoints to be eased
By Jimmy Burns
Published: November 3 2006 02:00 | Last updated: November 3 2006 02:00
Restrictions on air travellers in Europe, including those using UK airports, are to be further relaxed, the Department of Transport said yesterday.
Under new rules planned to come into effect from Monday, similar rules on the transport of liquids will apply in Europe as in the US and Canada, with passengers allowed to carry drinks and toiletries through security checks in limited quantities and in clear plastic bags.
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The move follows discussions between European Union and US transport security officials that have resulted in moves towards greater harmonisation of standards of airline security amid a continuing threat to the transport sector from international terrorism.
However, the DoT said last night that it knew of no security plans to suggest Britain was about to follow the example of France, where over 70 Muslim workers - baggage handlers and aircraft cleaners - have been stripped of their security clearance for allegedly posing a risk to passengers at Charles de Gaulle airport.
Transport security officials have advised EU governments that the new measures will help ease congestion at airport checkpoints, make it easier for screening staff to check what is being carried on board, and limit the risk of liquid explosives being smuggled on board airlines in sufficient quantities to pose a 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," a DoT spokesman said.
A ban on liquids on passengers flying to and from the UK was introduced in August after the discovery of an alleged plot to smuggle liquid explosives on to aircraft flying from the UK to the US.
Security officials at the DoT said the alleged attempted terrorist attack had exposed gaps in the ability of scanning machines to distinguish between ordinary liquids and those that could be used in a bomb.
But the government has faced calls from airlines and retailers to relax the ban on liquids and restrictions on hand baggage.
欧洲机场将进一步放宽安检限制
英国《金融时报》吉米?伯恩斯(Jimmy Burns)报道
2006年11月3日 星期五
英国交通部(Department of Transport)昨日表示，针对欧洲航空旅客的限制将进一步放宽，包括那些使用英国机场的乘客。
根据新规定，美国和加拿大实施的有关乘客携带液体物品登机的规定，也将在欧洲实施，即允许乘客携带饮料和化妆品通过安检登机，但数量有所限制，并且须放在透明胶袋内。新规定将于周一生效。
此前，欧盟(EU)与美国交通运输安全官员经过讨论决定，在国际恐怖主义继续对交通运输业构成威胁的情况下，将采取措施进一步统一航空安全标准。
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但英国交通部昨晚表示，据其所知，没有任何安全计划表明英国准备效仿法国的做法。在法国，戴高乐机场(Charles de Gaulle airport)的70余名穆斯林工人（行李工和飞机保洁工）因可能对乘客构成威胁，被取消了安全通行证。
