Air passengers warned of delays caused by new checks

AIRPORT authorities have warned passengers that they could face serious disruption and delays from next Monday as a result of new EU-wide rules on putting liquids, gels and toiletries in hand luggage.

The warning comes as Irish airports yesterday began a public awareness campaign to alert air travellers to the new regulations which will ban many common items from being carried on board flights.

They include bottled water, cans, toothpaste, hair gel, soap, deodorants, cosmetics, perfume and shaving foam. Only bottles containing less than 100 millilitres of liquid will be allowed on board — less than a third the quantity of liquid contained in a soft drinks can.

Such containers will have to be displayed in a small, transparent, re-sealable bag and presented separately to other hand luggage at security gates.

The bags will be limited to one per person. The only exemptions are for baby food, medicines and special dietary needs.

Passengers intending to bring liquids on aircraft are being advised to pack them in luggage that is checked in at airports.Air travellers will still be allowed to buy liquids in airport shops located behind boarding gates as well as on flights.

A spokesperson for Dublin Airport Authority said yesterday that it was impossible to predict what delays might be caused as a result of the imposition of the new EU regulations.

However, he cautioned travellers to allow additional time for getting through boarding gates in case of any disruption resulting from people trying to familiarise themselves with the new restrictions.

Passengers for short-haul flights are currently recommended to check in at least 90 minutes before departure, while those travelling to long-haul destinations are advised to arrive at the airport at least two-and-a-half hours before their flight.

Customer service agents will be on hand at the three main Irish airports — Dublin, Cork and Shannon — next week to assist passengers to comply with the new rules.

“In Dublin, they will aim to notify travellers as they queue to check-in about what they may or may not carry on board an aircraft in order to minimise actual delays at boarding gates,” explained a DAA spokesperson.

The DAA is hoping to avoid the chaotic scenes which hit Dublin Airport last August as a result of a major security alert at British airports. It resulted in serious disruption to air travel for a 24-hour period.

Passengers will be provided with small, see-through, plastic bags at airports for the first few weeks of the new legislation but after that they will be expected to supply their own re-sealable bags. A DAA spokesperson pointed out that standard freezer bags sold in most supermarkets are ideal.

All 17 security channels at Dublin Airport will be in operation next week in order to minimise delays for the 60,000 passengers scheduled to take flights on a daily basis.

An EU spokesperson said the aim of the new regulation was to protect all flights leaving from EU airports whatever their destination.

“The explosives are easy to make and use and it is impossible to predict where terrorists will strike next. Any flight leaving the EU is a potential target and should be protected,” they added.