Luggage rules to hit passengers

AIR passengers face considerable disruption and likely delays when strict new EU regulations on carry-on luggage come into force next Monday.

The regulations — agreed on September 27 — have been brought in following the threat from liquid explosives uncovered during a terrorist plot in Britain last August.

The security rules mean that if people want to bring liquids or gels on board in their hand luggage, they must:

nEnsure they are in small containers no more than 100 millilitres, less than a third the size of a can of cola.

nPlace the containers in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, less than eight inches (20 cm) in width and height.

nOnly have one bag per person.

nShow that any medicines, special diet products or baby foods are essential, and be able to prove they are genuine.

The liquid items must be presented for inspection at screening points in a sealed bag.

The Department of Transport placed adverts about the regulations in the national newspapers yesterday.

“There’s going to be huge change for passengers and the emphasis is on passengers to co-operate fully in relation to the changes,” said Siobhán Moore of Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

“If they co-operate fully, delays will kept to a minimum. I can’t anticipate what it’s going to be like, it will depend on co-operation from passengers.”

While reluctant to speculate on the extent of disruption, she accepted that next week would be “challenging, to say the least”.

Ms Moore said the DAA would hand out suitable plastic bags at the airport for a short period.

She said the DAA strongly encouraged people to pack all their liquids into the check-in luggage.

She accepted the regulations would particularly affect day-trippers, business travellers and those going on weekend holiday breaks.

Cork and Shannon Airport will be involved in the publicity campaign and have taken on extra staff to implement the regulations.

Ms Moore said supermarkets stock suitable plastic bags — such as sandwich bags — and that many items like liquid cosmetics and toothpaste come in small sizes.

The Department of Transport said EU regulations limiting the size of hand luggage to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 17.75in x 9.85in approx) would come into effect in six months.