Brussels, 24/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - According to ACI-Europe (Airports Council International - Europe) current technology is not sufficiently developed to justify beginning to phase out restrictions on air passengers' carrying liquids in their hand luggage. According to a decision taken in February of last year, this process should be started from 29 April 2011, a date which has already been pushed back to allow the development of technology capable of detecting explosives in the form of liquids, gels or aerosols. Current restrictions (passengers are only allowed carry on up to a total of one litre, in containers not exceeding 100ml in capacity), under criticism from a growing number of players, were introduced in 2006 following an attempted terrorist attack foiled in London (see EUROPE 9280 and 10080). Airport representatives say, however, that the date set by the Commission is too soon to allow industry to market technology improving air security and passengers' experience. ACI-Europe is critical of the performance of some scanners that have already been approved by the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC). It claims that none of the ECAC-approved scanners supposed to detect explosives concealed as liquids has been tested under live conditions. The formal certification process has yet to begin, leaving airports, which are responsible for installing scanners that are up to the task, too little time to purchase the material, the airport industry also points out. It is sceptical, too, of the performance of equipment tested by the ECAC and complains that the European Commission has no communication strategy for informing passengers of the change in security regime.
The Commission, which says it is aware of concerns over the timescale, maintains that the dates set are sufficiently flexible to ensure a safe transition to another security system. It also points out that the deadline for the changeover is 29 April 2013, a date which takes account of the calls made previously by the industry. The measures which are due to be in place by 29 April 2011 apply only to transit passengers, where additional technology does not have to be brought in. From that date, transit passengers will be allowed to carry inside the security zones and on board aircraft any liquids, gels and aerosols purchased in a third country airport or on board an aeroplane belonging to a non-Community airline on condition that these liquids, gels or aerosols are placed in bags in line with current rules. Only in 2013 does the Commission say that airports should be able to detect dangerous materials directly in luggage. Up until now, the ECAC has not approved any scanners up to this task. (A.By./transl.rt)