EU Security Regulations

On 6th November new security measures came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports.

Below is a guide to the requirements that are now in place as well as advice to help passengers pass through the security check as quickly as possible.
Passenger requirements

Liquids

 
Some liquids are allowed once again through airport security check points. There are however, restrictions on the quantity of liquids that can be taken through:
 
Passengers may carry small quantities of liquids, but only within separate containers each of which with a capacity not greater 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 (approximately 20cm x 20cm). The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the bag sealed. Each passenger may carry only one such bag of liquids.

The bag must be presented for examination at the airport security point.
Liquids that can not be placed inside the re-sealable bag must be packed into the hold luggage and checked in. Liquids of any amount can still be carried in luggage checked into the aircraft hold.

Remember that 'Liquids' includes:
" All drinks, including water, soup, syrups
" Creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara etc
" Sprays and pressurized containers including shaving foam and spray deodorants
" Pastes, including toothpastes
" Gels, including hair and shower gel
" Any other solutions and items of similar consistency

Medicines

Essential medicines and baby food may be permitted in larger quantities above the 100ml limit, but will be subject to authentication.
Cabin baggage and size allowed
Each passenger is restricted to carrying only one item through the airport search point with a maximum size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (note: the re-sealable bag must be able to fit within the cabin bag).
Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are permitted but will be screened.
Laptops / electrical items
Laptops and other large electrical items (e.g. a large hairdryer) have to be removed from cabin baggage and screened separately. A laptop bag will be regarded as your one item that is allowed in the cabin.

Outsize items

All items of luggage which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size (maximum length 56 cm, width of 45 cm and depth of 25 cm) must be checked in to be placed in the aircraft hold. Musical instruments are, as an exception, allowed as a second item of cabin baggage, but will need to be screened and passengers should check with their airlines if special arrangements (e.g. purchasing an extra seat) for these large instruments will be required.
Preparing for your journey
Passengers are asked to bear in mind the following advice to help make their passage through the airport as efficient and comfortable as possible:
Before you arrive at the airport
" Limit quantities to what you may need in the cabin for the duration of the flight.
" When possible, put liquids in hold baggage.
" Prepare the re-sealable bag of liquids before arriving at the airport.
" Check any queries you have with your airport or airline before travelling to the airport
At the security point
" Be ready to hand over your re-sealable bag of liquids for screening as you approach the security check point. It will be screened at the same time as your cabin luggage.
" All coats and jackets will have to be removed ready to be screened and metal items will be placed in plastic trays and scanned separately.
" If you are carrying a Laptop or any other large electrical item within your cabin luggage then please have it ready for separate screening as you approach the security check.
Duty free / departure lounge purchases
" You may take on board liquid items of any size that are purchased after the security check in the Departure lounge (sometimes referred to as 'Airside').
" Most duty free or similar purchases will be given to you in a special sealed bag. Do not open this bag until you have reached your final destination. You should also retain your proof of purchase throughout your journey. You will be required to show it at all transfer points.
" Please note restrictions apply to duty free purchases made on return journeys where passengers change flights at an EU airport. These are explained in detail in the next section.
These are the requirements set down by the Department for Transport. Airlines and Airports may have additional measures in place, and passengers are strongly advised to check the website of their carrier or airport before travelling.
Returning to or via the UK
Travelling from an airport in the EU, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland:
The arrangements outlined above apply. Please note that larger cabin bags will be permitted in some member states on a transitional basis until April 2007, when the maximum size permitted (length 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm) will be in force at all airports in the EU.
Travelling from an airport in any other country
Local arrangements apply.

Special information for transit passengers

If your journey involves changing flights at any EU airport, special restrictions apply. You may only take liquid items (for example duty free) through the security check point at your connecting airport if:
" they conform to the requirements for passengers departing from EU airports as set out above; or
" they have been purchased airside at another EU airport, or on board an aircraft operated by an EU carrier. You will need to show proof of purchase to demonstrate this. Liquid items in excess of 100ml purchased from other airports or on board other airlines may only be carried as hold baggage on the connecting flight.
The member states of the European Union are:
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.