Hand luggage is to be checked even more carefully in future.

At the beginning of November, new safety regulations for airline passengers will come into effect in the EU. It has been decided to limit the amount of hand luggage and liquids that can be taken on board.

At a meeting of a group of experts from the EU, Switzerland spoke in favour of practicable regulations that are uniform throughout Europe, and is working towards their coordinated introduction.

According to the new safety regulations, airline passengers will continue to be permitted to take deodorants, toothpaste and perfume on board. However, the tubes and bottles will have to be carried in a transparent and sealable plastic bag that holds no more than one litre. The bag will have to be produced for safety checks, according to a statement by the EU Commission after the meeting.

On Wednesday, European flight safety experts came to an agreement about the new flight safety regulations. "This is a very practicable solution", said Anton Kohler of the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (BAZL). The EU is planning to introduce the new hand luggage regulations during the first week of November and Switzerland is hoping for a coordinated introduction, Kohler added. Problems may still occur at airports.

Deodorants, toothpaste and perfume are no problem
There will also be precise and uniform regulations in future regarding the maximum size of hand luggage: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. These will however be introduced later to give carriers the chance to make preparations. Exceptions may be made, such as for musical instruments.

Coats and jackets must be taken off during security checks. Laptops and other large electronic devices must be shown outside the hand luggage.

Duty free shopping allowed
Under certain circumstances, liquids bought after check-in, for instance in duty-free shops, may still be taken on board, even in amounts greater than 1dl. No changes were introduced for other luggage.

The European regulations of 100ml per container will be somewhat more generous than those put in place in the US last Tuesday (84ml).

Restrictions on liquids taken on board have been imposed internationally since August, after British Security Officials uncovered plans to attack US aircraft.

For more information, please contact your HRG Office.

Source: www.swissinfo.org