Rochdale Euro-MP slams new airport security rules

Date published: 19/10/2006

Rochdale Euro-MP Chris Davies has slammed new airport security rules as 'ludicrous' and has accused officials of putting profits before passenger safety.

A ban on carrying liquids and gels in passenger hand luggage came into force on 10 August in response to a terrorist explosive threat to transatlantic flights.

Although the new less stringent regulations, expected to come into force in early November, allow passengers to carry on toiletry items such as toothpaste, contact lens solutions and perfumes, but bottles and cans of soft drinks or water will not be permitted.

However glass bottles of alcohol bought from shops after boarding pass control will not be affected by the new measures, with the only concession being that goods will be placed in sealed transparent bags.

Mr Davies claims the new rules are "muddled madness" and provide yet another example of contradictory thinking by security officials.

In a letter to Home Secretary, John Reid, Mr Davies describes airport security as "smoke and mirrors stuff".  He highlights that in the interests of aviation security passengers are made to suffer delay and indignity yet products sold by airport commercial interests, which pose a greater potential danger than many banned items, avoid all restriction.

He said: "It is absolute nonsense to ban bottles of water yet at the same time allowing passengers to board with litres of inflammable alcohol."

For over a year Mr Davies has been campaigning for an end to "crazy regulations" that prohibit the carriage of tweezers but allow large glass bottles to be carried as hand luggage.
 
He is concerned that bottles could be broken and used as weapons to threaten cabin crew and other passengers and claims that airport managers are putting profits before safety.

Chris Davies has lobbied the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Department for Transport to end the contradictory rules, but he claims pressure from airports to retain alcohol sales are clouding the thinking of law makers.

He said: "Airport restrictions will always be regarded as more a political mirage than a security check so long as passengers are allowed to board planes carrying heavy glass bottles that could instantly be turned into lethal weapons.

"Passengers can be made to suffer inconvenience and indignity but no-one in Government dares touch the airports' money spinners.

"The authorities appear not to want to disrupt the trade of airport shops or to make arrangements to ensure that all such purchases are put into the hold rather than carried onboard."