Brussels, 31/08/2006 (Agence Europe) - The United Kingdom calls on the EU to amend its legislation on the security of air travel, and especially to prohibit passengers from carrying liquid products in their hand luggage. As foreseen, the EU25 experts met in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss security measures in EU airports, in the wake of provisions taken after the alleged terrorist plot in the United Kingdom (EUROPE 9251). “The British want the European Union to ban liquids” carried in hand luggage such as bottles of shampoo or cans of drink, a European source told EUROPE, specifying that London would like to see the European list of products prohibited in the cabin on commercial flights to include such products. The Committee acknowledged the fact that recent events have highlighted the danger of liquids, which cannot easily be diagnosed as dangerous, the same source said, adding that experts have almost reached a consensus on amending European legislative criteria. There is, however, a problem, as the improved detection techniques would not only be costly but would also have a direct impact on many other sectors of aviation.
The meeting of the safety regulation committee on 30 August, convened at the request of the European Commission, will be followed by another long-scheduled meeting of the same committee on 6 and 7 September. A scientific meeting will be held on 5 September to seek to resolve the last technical problems. The Finnish Presidency has requested an accelerated timetable for enhancing air safety measures. All these measures will be examined by European transport ministers on 12 October, with advice from experts.
After the attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001, the EU adopted common safety measures for its airports. These measures can be reinforced in the event of emergency, which was exactly what London did when, on 10 August, an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic flights in flight was revealed. As a soft drink can or a bottle of water can be considered dangerous as they may contain liquid explosives, not only the United States but also the United Kingdom have now banned such bottles from being carried on board by passengers. The same applies to tubes of gel, bottles of perfume or toilet water. Only baby products and prescription medicines are exempted. Other EU countries, such as France, Germany and Belgium, have also introduced tighter controls in airports.