Changi gears up for ban on liquids

Standees and brochures will inform air passengers of the new rules for hand luggage


CHANGI Airport is gearing up to implement stringent new restrictions on hand luggage next month - joining airports in about 40 countries with similar rules already in place.

To ensure that passengers are aware of the new restrictions, standees up to 2m-high will be put up at the airport, and information brochures will be distributed.

Passengers can also visit www.changiairport.com to check for more details, including if their destination countries have any specific restrictions.

When the rules kick in, all liquids, gels and aerosols - including perfumes and hair styling aids - must be stored in containers not exceeding 100ml each and all the containers must fit nicely into a single transparent, resealable one-litre bag.

Each of the 17 million passengers who fly out of the airport every year will be allowed just one such bag.

Despite efforts to publicise the new rules, recent experiences at other airports show that some passengers will still turn up ill-informed and unprepared.

For their convenience, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will keep a stockpile of the one-litre transparent bags - a million of which have been ordered to be delivered in batches from the end of this month.

The CAAS is also considering building what it calls 'repacking counters' so that people can reorganise their items and belongings.

The counters - up to 2.4m long and 0.8m high - will come with bins in case some items need to be discarded.

Contacted by The Straits Times, a CAAS spokesman confirmed that the procurement of the plastic bags, standees and counters is part of preparations for the implementation of the new restrictions - which are in line with recommendations set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The rules were drawn up following a foiled plot in Britain on Aug 10 last year to blow up 10 planes in mid-air using liquid explosives.

While the ICAO recommends countries impose the restrictions only on departing passengers, the United States - and more recently Australia - require all inbound travellers to comply, too.

The new rules, however, have airport shopkeepers concerned because sales of items such as alcohol and perfumes could be hurt.

To help ensure that business is not too badly affected, some countries allow duty-free purchases as long as they comply with certain guidelines.

For example, Australia-bound passengers at Changi can buy duty-free items such as alcohol and perfumes, as long as they agree to have them delivered to them just before they board the aircraft.

The arrangement is only for those who end their journeys in Australia, including those who take a connection to another domestic flight.

Changi has a similar shopping arrangement for selected US-bound and Air India passengers.