Carry-On Restrictions
October 6, 2006
The new security rules are expected to come into force in early November and would allow passengers to carry on small toiletry items, such as toothpaste, contact lens solution and perfume. Passengers will be permitted to take on board one re-sealable plastic bag of a maximum size of 1 liter (34 ounces) in which liquid items can be placed. Liquids will have to fit into containers that are 100 ml or smaller.
The Commission said certain exceptions would be made for medicine, baby food and other dietary needs.
"The new regulation will plug a gap in our defenses by restricting the liquids that passengers can carry past screening points and on board aircraft," EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said in a statement.
"It will apply to all departing flights in order to protect people everywhere in the (EU)," he added.
Barrot said the standards were sufficient for flights to the United States.
Hand luggage size restrictions
Size limits for carry-on bags are also expected to go into effect into force in six months. Carry-on bags are to be limited to 56 cm (22 inches) by 45 cm (18 inches) by 25 cm.
Exemptions on the size of carry-on luggage will be made for items such as musical instruments and cameras.
Security measures have been stepped up after British authorities said they had foiled a plot in London in August to bomb flights bound for the United States using liquid explosives.
The United States has welcomed the new security restrictions, which were proposed last week by experts from EU member states to unify security measures across the 25-nation bloc.
The US Transportation Security Administration said that experts from Europe, Canada and the US have shared the results of comprehensive explosives testing to gain a better understanding of the threat since the ban on liquids was initially installed on August 10.
"Through continued dialogue we collectively determined that these items in limited quantities are safe to bring aboard aircraft," TSA Administrator Kip Hawley said in a statement.