Airports Council International Passes Global Security Resolution

CAPE TOWN (Nov. 7, 2006) – Airport executives from around the world passed a resolution today calling on governments to work together internationally to harmonize the restrictions on liquids in hand luggage, following the introduction of new measures by the European Union (EU) this week.

During the Airports Council International (ACI) annual world assembly in Cape Town, airport members passed a resolution calling upon governments, after consultation with airports, airlines and industry stakeholders, to establish urgently – at the latest by March 31, 2007, through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a new multilateral regulatory framework that facilitates efficient passenger movement through the air transport system by:

• Harmonizing the restrictions on the carriage of liquids, gels, aerosols and duty-free items in hand baggage; and
• Establishing protocols to facilitate passengers transferring through airports with duty-free items that were purchased under the appropriate security controls at the airport of origin.

"The world's airport leaders are in agreement that security measures will only work when developed in full, extensive and timely consultation with airports, airlines and other industry stakeholder," said ACI-North America President Greg Principato. "We can only have efficient movement of passengers when we're working together on issues of this magnitude."

Airports are concerned that without harmonization the new ruling will have a serious impact on airport facilities and systems, operational processes, passenger service levels and duty-free retail concessions.

In the U.S., passengers are allowed to take up to 3 ounces of liquid in a clear, resealable one-quart bag through airport security checkpoints.

As of November 6, passengers in Europe can take liquid items in cabin luggage, provided the liquid is in containers smaller than 100 milliliters and all containers are able to fit into a transparent sealable bag of no larger than 1 liter. The European rules also say that liquids over 100 milliliters purchased on the same day of travel at airports in Europe are permitted through European security checks. Duty-free and other airport retailers will use special tamper proof bags to facilitate this process

But one constraint that has far reaching implications is that passengers will not be allowed to carry duty free items that have been purchased outside the European Union zone through a European transfer point.

"There is a risk that passengers will be confused by the differences between intra-European and international allowances, and they will certainly be frustrated if items are not allowed to pass through security checkpoints. For concessionaires, it puts duty free sales at a particular disadvantage, and any loss in concessionaire sales will in turn reduce critically needed revenues for airports. At a time when our industry is striving to achieve ever greater efficiency and cost effectiveness, we must energetically address this issue that affects passengers, airports and airlines," said ACI World Director General Robert Aaronson.

Airports around the world are taking action to ensure that passengers are aware of these changes to avoid as much inconvenience as possible. As part of the resolution, ACI called upon industry stakeholders to work with it and member airports to address the short and long term implications of these additional preventive security measures on airport facilities, systems, operational processes and passenger service levels; and to restore the balance between the requirements of aviation security and the needs of facilitation.