ACI EUROPE supports EC’s proposal to reschedule removal of restrictions of carry-on liquids

The European Commission (EC) today announced the postponement of the deadline of April 2013 for lifting the current restrictions on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) by passengers, considering that a more realistic and progressive approach was necessary.

Today’s announcement bythe EC has received support from Europe’s airports, which underlined the complexity of the LAGs issue and stated that this revised approach should ultimately improve the passenger experience and safeguard the integrity of airport operations.

The proposed postponement is set to be accompanied by a roadmap with a revised timeline for the progressive removal of the LAGs restrictions. This roadmap will be determined in cooperation with the EC’s European and International partners –including industry stakeholders.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE commented “As much as we would like to get rid of the existing restrictions on the carriage of LAGs, the trials carried out at several European airports have shown that the technology allowing for that just isn’t there yet.Further progress is needed to develop more mature and robust technology fully geared for operational reality and effectively improving the passenger experience. We support the approach proposed today and look forward to further cooperation with the Commission, Member States and the European Parliament.”