Meeting on 27 September 2006, the Regulatory Committee for Civil Aviation Security backed a proposal from the Commission to introduce uniform aviation security rules in an attempt to prevent terrorist attacks following the exposure, in August, of a terrorist plot to smuggle liquid explosives onto aircrafts flying from the UK to the US (see EurActiv 21 August 2006).
According to the new rules, passengers will not be able to take luggage larger than the size of a briefcase or a personal computer on-board, and any liquid they wish to carry, including toothpaste, perfume or contact-lens products, must fit into containers of 100ml maximum, except if purchased at airport shops after security checks.
Exceptions could be allowed for special situations, such as for people with musical instruments or mothers carrying baby milk.
The rules on liquids are expected to enter into force in November whereas the hand-luggage measures will be applied later to allow operators to adjust.
Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot welcomed the measures saying they “strike the necessary balance between a tough approach on security, the comfort of passengers and the needs of the industry”.
European airlines and airport operators welcomed welcomed the move stating it will allow "greater clarity as to what [European travellers] can and can’t take on board", but Association of European Airlines Secretary General Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus added: “The industry hopes that member states will all be able to contribute with adequate resources to address these new constraints,” explaining that if security-processing time for each passenger were increased by just one minute, it would create "a huge additional burden on airline and airport resources, and a huge source of potential aggravation for passengers".
