Opinion
Is this the end of airport liquid bans?
By the end of April 2013, the frustrating ritual of dumping your bottled water, other drinks and even cosmetics and toiletries at airport security may be over. From that time, airports all over the world should start screening the contents of bottles for explosives.
A range of new, high-tech bottle-scanning technologies which will enable the lifting of the liquids ban at airports are currently being trialled in several countries, and UK-based Cobalt Light Systems’ explosives detector has just passed all of its European civil aviation security tests.
The rule banning bottles larger than 10cl being carried through security and onto aircraft was introduced in 2006 following the failed attempt by 17 would-be terrorists who conspired to carry hydrogen-peroxide-based liquid explosives onto aircraft in the UK.
So, this will change the game at airports and transport hubs. No longer will consumers have to ditch the bottle of water they arrived with and then purchase another (often higher priced one) on the other side of security.
And it opens up options for wine, spirits and beers to be purchased before travelling, rather than only in the post-security duty free shops.
How will the operators of those outlets respond? Will it slow down an already time-consuming security process at peak times?
It’s an interesting development and we’ll be following it closely when the ban is lifted.
Interview by Bill Bruce. Bill is group editorial director of FoodBev Media. You can contact him here.
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Bill Bruce is group editorial director of FoodBev Media
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