KEY POINTS:
The first weekend of strict new rules on taking liquids on board international flights has gone without a hitch, airport officials say.
No major delays were reported at Auckland Airport over the weekend, as most passengers had packed their bags in anticipation of the new rules, which came into force on Saturday.
The regulations restrict passengers on international flights from bringing liquids, aerosols and gels on board, unless they are in containers of 100ml or less and packed in a transparent plastic bag.
The changes follow similar restrictions in Britain and the US and comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation recommendations.
Peter Pilley, the Aviation Security Service's northern region manager, said most passengers were aware of the new regulations.
"The public have really taken notice. There's been a lot of pre-planning at airports throughout the country. It's worked very well."
He said there were some people who had obviously missed the media reports about the change of rules but airport staff were nevertheless pleased with the results.
Mr Pilley said Auckland had seen up to 24,000 passengers over the weekend, plus international transit passengers.
Some passengers, however, still had liquids in their carry-on luggage after checking in.
"People forget about things in their bags. We haven't actually confiscated it. They've voluntarily thrown it away at the scanning point."
The service has hired 94 more staff to handle the additional screening requirements. Mr Pilley said the easiest thing for people headed overseas to do was to pre-pack their liquids at home.
"They'll go through just as they normally would before these restrictions came in."
The call is echoed by Auckland Airport CEO Don Huse.
"We are asking all international passengers to think before they pack and to consider what liquids, aerosols and gels are absolutely essential to take through departure security screening and carry on a flight, and what can be packed away into their checked-in baggage."
Duty free items can still be purchased as usual for direct flights, but there may be "implications" for stop-overs, he said. "Airport retailers will be able to provide the information that applies to your flight."
Bottles And Bags
* Strict rules that came into force on Saturday restrict the liquids, aerosols and gels passengers on international flights can have in their carry-on luggage.
* These items can be included in carry-on luggage, but they need to be in containers of 100ml or less. These items also need to be packed into a resealable 1-litre transparent sandwich bag, and presented separately at the screening point.
* All passengers, including children, are allowed one bag.
* Exemptions apply for personal medications, baby products and dietary supplements, though these may also be checked.
