Bringing gel on the plane? You'll soon have to bag it

From May 8, amount of liquids, aerosols and gels in hand luggage will be restricted



ALL passengers flying out of Changi and Seletar airports will face restrictions on the amount of liquids, gels and aerosols that can be carried onto aircraft from May 8.

Following the imposition of similar rules in about 40 countries worldwide, travellers leaving Singapore will have to ensure that items like toothpaste and hair gel are stored in containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml each.

These containers must be packed inside resealable transparent plastic bags with a maximum capacity not exceeding one litre.

Each traveller will be allowed just one bag, which must be made available for visual examination at security screening points.

There are, however, no restrictions on the amount of liquids, gels and aerosols that can be packed in check-in luggage.

Travellers can also buy duty-free items like alcohol and perfume freely. These will be packed and sealed in special bags by the shops, with the receipt clearly displayed.

The new rules - announced yesterday at a joint Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Singapore Police Force press briefing - are in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommendations. These were made after police in Britain foiled an apparent plot to blow up as many as 10 transatlantic flights with liquid explosives on Aug 10 last year.

Countries including Australia, Japan, the United States, Japan and all 25 European Union member states have similar rules already in place.

While there has been no specific threat against Singapore's airports and civil aviation, the new rules are necessary to enhance security levels and 'mitigate the threat from liquid explosives', said the commander of Airport Police, Superintendent Teo Chun Ching.

To ensure minimal hiccups and delays, CAAS will tell passengers about the new rules via information panels and brochures. About 100 'airport ambassadors' - excluding CAAS staff - will also be deployed to help confused passengers in the first few weeks.

Supermarkets and convenience shops at the airport will sell the one-litre bags, which cost about 10 cents each. CAAS will also keep a stockpile, though its director of airport management, Mr Foo Sek Min, said passengers should make the process easier by arriving at the airport prepared.

While airport authorities will do what they can to assist passengers, Mr Foo stressed this will not be at the expense of other travellers.

For example, passengers who do not comply with the new rules and arrive at the airport late will have to throw away their liquids and gels.

ICAO, which urges countries to adopt common guidelines on what passengers can carry onboard aircraft, has also set up a study group, in which Singapore is involved, to propose a long-term solution to the problem of liquids on planes.