US to let air travellers carry some liquids

WASHINGTON - The United States has partly lifted its ban on liquids in carry-on bags on airline flights, a policy imposed last month after authorities in London said they foiled a plot to bomb US-bound flights.

Under the new plan, travellers may carry drinks and other items purchased in the secure areas of the airport. They also may bring travel-size lip gloss, hand lotion and other toiletries of 3 ounces (90 ml) or less that will be subject to screening and then placed in a small clear plastic bag.

The measure takes effect today and is the second time the ban, introduced on August 10, has been revised. Homeland security officials called the latest change a prudent step but said the main provisions will remain in place indefinitely because the threat of attacks on aircraft has not diminished.

"After the initial, total ban, we have learnt enough from the UK investigation to say with confidence that small, travel-size liquids are safe to bring through security checkpoints in limited numbers," said Kip Hawley, the Bush administration official overseeing US transportation security.

All liquids and gels were banned as carry-on items by US officials last month after the British government arrested two dozen people and foiled what it said was a plot to simultaneously blow up several airliners using liquid explosives.

The ban for US airlines was eased a few days later to permit small amounts of nonprescription liquid medication, including pain relievers and cough medicines as well as gels and other medicines for diabetics.

Canada also adopted the latest change, and US officials said Britain and other European nations are expected to consider similar steps in the coming weeks.

Michael Jackson, deputy homeland security secretary, said the threat posed by liquid explosives or other bombs remains a serious concern and the US aviation system is still at its second-highest level of alert - orange.

"I don't expect this threat to go away or diminish," Jackson told reporters.

Strain on baggage systems

But government security planners believe that mixing multiple small containers of liquids into a large enough explosive on board an aircraft would be difficult. They said they have a "comfort level" with this week's change that they can balance security needs and passenger convenience.

Jackson also said homeland security officials were mindful of traveller complaints and the sizeable increase in checked luggage as passengers sought to avoid security headaches and handed over more bags at check-in counters to be stored during flight.

"We thought we could relieve the pressure there," Jackson said of the heavier workload for airline employees.

Airlines said the change on drinks and small liquids is welcome action. "It is clear that the TSA has performed deliberate and careful risk analysis to identify which items passengers can safely bring on board," said James May, chief executive of the trade group that represents major carriers.

Jackson said he did not expect any additional measures to relax the liquid ban unless technological advances in bomb screening allowed for a new policy.

US Rep. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat and a senior member of the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee, said the change seems to be driven by "commerce rather than common sense security concerns." He noted that progress has lagged on developing and funding advanced explosive detection technology.

- REUTERS