MAY 29, 2009
Alcoholic spirits, champagne and wine are causing a headache for staff at Newcastle International Airport.
Along with bottles of water, fizzy pop and suntan lotion, they are just some of the 800 liquid items confiscated every day from passengers’ hand luggage by airport security staff.
With as many as 13,000 passengers a day expected to pass through the airport this summer, security staff are urging customers to take heed of longstanding security regulations prohibiting the carrying of liquid items in hand luggage.
Airport security staff confiscate around 450 litres of prohibited liquids every day in the security search area, with items ranging from vintage champagne and spirits, to jars of Marmite and bottles of tomato ketchup.
The airport estimates its recycling and waste disposal costs have increased 10 per cent since the tightened security restrictions came into effect at all UK airports following the terror alert on August 10, 2006.
Chris Davis, head of operations at Newcastle International, said: “The current restrictions on taking liquids through security search have been in place for nearly three years, but many passengers are still unfamiliar with the rules.
“We’re asking our customers to make sure they’re aware of what can and can’t be taken through security search in their hand luggage, particularly in relation to the ban on carrying liquid items larger than 100ml. Our aim is to reduce the number of bottles, jars and cans we have to confiscate from passengers and, at the same time, ease the pressure on our security teams.
“The simple rule is to pack suntan lotions, gels, creams and perfumes in your suitcase and check them into the hold. If you need any essential liquid items with you on the flight, make sure they are in containers of 100ml or smaller and are put inside a clear, resealable plastic bag.”
Newcastle Airport provides clear plastic bags for passengers free of charge at the entrance to the security search area.
- ends -
Notes to editors:
The current Department for Transport regulations in relation to hand luggage are as follows:
· Passengers may carry small quantities of liquids they have brought from home in their hand luggage, but only in separate containers each no more than 100ml.
· These containers must be brought to the airport contained in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity, roughly 20cm by 20cm.
· The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably in the hand luggage with the bag sealed.
· Liquids that cannot be placed inside the re-sealable bag must be packed into suitcases and checked in.
· Essential medicines and baby food sufficient for the journey are permitted. Passengers are strongly advised to check the Department for Transport guidelines before travelling to the airport. Visit www.dft.gov.uk for further details.