EU liquids ban to end by 2013

The end is in sight for travellers wanting to carry liquids in their hand luggage, although it may take another two years before all EU airports are equipped with screening equipment.

As flagged on the forum yesterday, the European Union has set a deadline of April 29, 2013, by when all EU airports must have rolled out liquids screening equipment. After this date all liquids will be allowed in cabin baggage.

The new EU framework has also set a date of April 29, 2011, by when “duty-free liquids purchased at third country airports or on board third country airlines and carried in tamper evident bags will be allowed as cabin baggage and will be screened”. This is currently only the case for liquids coming from selected third countries such as the US, Canada, Singapore and Croatia.

A statement by the European Commission said that EU airports will be “closely monitored through unannounced Commission inspections” during the implementation of these new security measures.

For more information visit europa.eu.