Airport Council International (ACI) yesterday urged governments to coordinate their efforts to implement restrictions on liquids in hand luggage and then establish a global security framework through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The call came from executives attending ACI's annual world assembly in Cape Town. ACI Director-General Robert J Aaronson acknowledged that the European Commission's new regulations in Europe were a good step forward, but added that ACI was concerned that these regulations could have serious ramifications for airport facilities and systems, as well as operational processes, passenger service levels and duty free retail concessions.
Aaronson said that there was plenty of room for confusion amongst passengers and particularly those transferring through a European airport who might face confiscation of their purchases.
Aaronson called for a long-term solution to the problem and he urged governments to establish a global security framework through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
As reported yesterday, ICAO is due to send a letter containing new recommendations for all of its airport members in a couple of weeks and these are expected to be based on the European Commission's regulations which came into force last Monday.
An important meeting between the EU and US security departments is also scheduled for next week in Brussels which will be crucial if Aaronson's concerns are to be addressed. The EU and US will talk about common recognition of security protocols in several areas, including liquids and gels and duty free or travel retail goods.
If no agreement is reached then ICAO's letter will go out with recommendations that the global airports community should revert to the EU model. If this happens then the transfer business will be effectively dead. (See detailed story on this page: Global transfer business is under threat).