EU ending liquid restrictions for plane travel by 2013
2010-04-29
In an announcement that could change the way that tourists take to the skies, the European Commission, the governing body for the region's air travel, has announced plans to phase out the current restrictions on traveling with liquids by the year 2013.
In an official statement picked up by the Wall Street Journal, the commission highlighted its decision while mentioning new screening equipment capable of clearing fluids prior to boarding a flight.
"By 29 April, 2013, at the latest, all liquids will be allowed in cabin baggage and will be screened," writes the commission. "By that date, the current restrictions on the carriage of liquids in cabin baggage will end."
Airlines across the world began banning containers of liquid in carry-on luggage or personal items after a thwarted terrorist attack involving clear liquid explosives on a trans-atlantic flight coming out of London's Heathrow airport. Passengers on European flights are currently only allowed to take .1-liter bottles of liquids on flights, though they must be in small transparent plastic bags and must be separated from the rest of one's luggage at a security checkpoint.
The Department of Transportation has yet to comment on whether or not similar measures would be adopted in the U.S.