Charities net €250,000 in confiscated airport goods
Despite restrictions on bringing liquids aboard planes being introduced a year ago, airport staff continue to confiscate vast amounts of items exceeding the 100ml limit from dumbfounded passengers.
Restrictions at Irish airports on liquids were introduced under an EU directive on November 6 last year. Up to 10,000 costly bottles of spirits, wines, liqueurs and champagne are among items that have been seized since then.
Other items confiscated from passengers included jars of relishes, honey, cans of vegetables and hundreds of cosmetic items.
Dublin Airport alone confiscated 7,407 bottles of expensive spirits and wines.
A total of 1,007 bottles of Baileys were also confiscated, enough to fill several baths.
Under the EU directive, put-out passengers flying out of the capital had to give up 254 bottles of champagne.
Travellers also gave over 767 gift sets of cosmetics and toys.
Surrendered items were given to the Carers Association of Ireland.
“We are still receiving a substantial amount of goods,” said the group’s fundraising manager Annette McCaul.
The donated sealed goods have boosted hamper sales for the association, helping fund its 17 centres nationwide.
Cork Airport said it confiscated “significant quantities” of liquids, pastes and gels, including alcohol toiletries and perfumes. It is thought up to 1,000 costly goods were seized, based on numbers confiscated at peak periods at the Munster hub.
Its goods are donated to the Cork Simon Community and the Irish Guide Dogs Association. The latter said it had received 169 bottles of wines and spirits to bump up hamper sales and raffles.
At Knock Airport, disgruntled fliers had to give up nearly 100 costly alcohol items. Stranger items taken aside by security included a bottle of Edradour Scottish whiskey, honey liqueur, dozens of jars of chutney, marmalade and sauces.
Surrendered goods were given to the Carers Association in Sligo and a carers day centre in Mayo.
Shannon Airport said a low quantity of banned liquids were seized over the year.
“Some go to local charities, the majority are dumped,” said a spokesman.
Perturbed passengers also handed over shaving foams, bottles of fake tan, deodorants, hair sprays as well as perfumes across airports.
Most airports are storing goods in large wheelie bins for charities.
The cost of alcohol items seized alone at Dublin airport could be up to €200,000, since the EU directive began last year.
Passengers travelling with liquids less than 100ml are handed small transparent plastic bags while passengers failing to declare them have items confiscated.
Travellers are forbidden to bring aboard such items as liquids, gels, pastes, and cosmetics over 100mls.
