In flight liquid restrictions may soon be relaxed

In the coming months, airline passengers may see a relaxation in the rules stipulating the type and amount of liquids that they are permitted to take on board an airplane.

In recent weeks, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade organization representing 230 airlines around the world, said that it was hopeful that new technology in scanners would be introduced worldwide in the near future.

For two years now, passengers have been required to separate their toiletries and place them in a clear plastic bag before passing through airport security, and were not permitted to carry more than 100ml of liquids on the plane.

Routinely, passengers have failed to meet the 100ml limit and have had to surrender their liquids, often including aftershave and expensive perfume.

The Department for Transport has been working with scanning manufacturers in the development of technology that would allow for the easing of the liquid restrictions within months, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The Department is also involved in talks with representatives of aviation industry regarding the introduction of new scanning machines.

After a terrorist plot to bring down planes on transatlantic routes was uncovered in August of 2006, passengers were banned from carrying liquids on board.

Two months later, the 100ml limit was introduced, following the advice of security experts regarding the volume of liquid required to make an explosive device.

www.iata.org