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Press release
- 06.11.2006
- New Cabin Baggage Regulations for Air Travel
Liquids in cabin baggage only permitted in small quantities
The European Commission’s new cabin baggage regulations came into force on Monday, 6 November, 2006. Only limited quantities of liquids, such as drinks, gels and creams, may only be taken in cabin baggage on board flights departing from EU airports. Passengers are therefore requested to avoid liquids in cabin baggage as far as possible, transporting liquids in checked baggage instead. These regulations apply for all flights to all destinations, including the USA.
Only a very small quantity of liquid is permitted in cabin baggage. The container may not have a capacity greater than 100ml and must be transported in a transparent, resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of one litre. Each passenger is restricted to one plastic bag containing liquids in cabin baggage and must remove this bag from cabin baggage and present it at the security checkpoints for separate x-ray examination, without waiting to be asked to do so. Passengers who need to carry liquids in their cabin baggage are requested to pack the containers in a plastic bag as described before reaching the airport.
No restrictions on Travel Value & Duty Free purchases
All items on sale in the Travel Value & Duty Free shops are for sale only in the security controlled area of the airport and have already been subjected to multiple security checks. Passengers may take these items on board aircraft in their cabin baggage without restriction. This includes products such as perfume, cosmetics and spirits. In order to extend the security zone all the way into the aircraft, purchases made at the Travel Value & Duty Free shops will be handed over to passengers in sealed bags.
Raoul Spanger, a member of the board of management at Gebr. Heinemann, one of the world’s largest retail operators in the travel sector and operator of the Travel Value & Duty Free shops at Hamburg Airport, comments: “Passengers enjoy shopping before departure. The decision by the EU to rate Travel Value & Duty Free goods as safe is a great result for us and for passengers. They can continue to by high-quality brand-name products at affordable prices. The sealed bags are a very good solution for us retailers, allowing us to guarantee the security and quality of our products."
Containers larger than 100ml must be disposed of
Individual containers (cans, perfume bottles, tubes, bottles, etc.) in cabin baggage may not exceed a capacity of 100ml. Containers with a larger capacity must be disposed of at the security checkpoint, even if they are only partially full. The transparent bag may in principle contain any number of containers but must be fully sealable. Containers which only fit into an open bag may not be carried on-board the aircraft. Closing simple plastic bags with a rubber band or similar item is not acceptable. All other liquids must be stored in checked-in baggage. Resealable plastic bags with a capacity of up to one litre may be purchased in supermarkets as freezer bags. Hamburg Airport has bags available for passengers who have neglected to pack their liquids in an appropriate plastic bag before arriving at the airport. The bags may be obtained from the information counters in the terminals and at the Airport Offices.
Exceptions for baby food and medication
Baby food and baby milk for babies and infants travelling on the flight, along with dietetic nutrition products essential during the flight, are exempted from the restrictions on liquids in cabin baggage. Further exemption is granted for medications which will be needed during the flight. Passengers are required to present these liquids to security personnel and, when requested, to provide proof (e.g. a prescription) of the in-flight need for these items.
Stricter monitoring of cabin baggage items
As part of the new cabin baggage regulations, the restrictions on the size of individual items cabin baggage will be more strictly enforced. As of 6 May, 2007, an individual item of cabin baggage may not exceed 56cm in length, 45cm in width and 25cm in height. The permitted size of an item of cabin baggage approximates the size of a standard briefcase. Exemptions may be granted for extra-large and particularly valuable items of cabin baggage, such as musical instruments, cameras and photographic equipment.
Larger electronic devices contained within cabin baggage, for example laptop computers, must be removed from cabin baggage at the security checkpoint to be x-rayed separately. Furthermore, jackets and coats must be removed and laid on the conveyor belt to be x-rayed before the passenger passes through the checkpoint.
Planning sufficient time for security checks
Due to the enhanced security measures, Hamburg Airport advises passengers to plan sufficient time for the security checkpoints. For domestic and European flights, we recommend arriving at Hamburg Airport 90 minutes before departure. For intercontinental flights it is advisable to arrive up to three hours before departure. In addition, passengers should ask enquire of their airlines in advance as to possible further restrictions relating to cabin baggage.
The Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs has published a list of items prohibited from air travel.
For further information relating to the new cabin baggage regulations please check online at http://www.bmi.bund.de/