As previously reported, more relaxed European Union* rules for air passengers carrying liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) take effect today. They are a step towards lifting the ban on the carriage of LAGs altogether.

 

The change – which only affects LAGs purchased (and correctly packaged) at airport shops and on board air carriers – will mean that transfer passenger through EU airports will not have to surrender their duty free purchases as was often the case in the past. The rule will have minimal direct impact on EU air passengers. The US, Canadian and Australian authorities are all introducing equivalent rules.

 

Olivier Jankovec (left), Director General ACI Europe comments: “Europe’s airports are ready and have spent in excess of €150m ($205m) to accommodate the change. This will enhance the airport experience of transfer passengers who until now had to surrender their duty free purchases from non-EU airports [with some exceptions**] and air carriers.”

 

He adds: “This is part of our investment toward getting back to the good old days before 2006, when there were no restrictions on LAGs at all for passengers.”

 

* The new EU rules are effective at airports in the EU, EEA and Switzerland.

** The exceptions were airports in the USA, Canada, Singapore and Croatia (before its entry into the EU in July 2013) and Malaysia.