New security rules at airports
03.11.2006 Effective date: 0200 on Monday 6th November 2006
The UK Department for Transport (DFT) and the European Union (EU) has adopted new security rules that will allow a restricted amount of liquids within hand baggage through security search points as long as specific restrictions can be met.
These revised restrictions will be implemented by all Airports regardless of their destination for customers departing from the EU including the UK and in addition Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.
Customers are asked to arrive at the airport in plenty time to allow for the changes in the new security rules.
View a PDF diagram of the new security guidelines here.
What is new?
Within your hand baggage you can carry:- Small quantities of liquids only if:
- They are in individual container(s) no larger than 100millilitres (3.5 fluid oz).
- The container(s) are carried within one transparent re-sealable or zip-top plastic bag with a capacity not exceeding 20cm x 20 cm or 8 inches x 8 inches or one litre capacity. Customers will be responsible for providing their own re-sealable plastic bag.
- The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably, are easily visible, are not packed on top of each other and the bag is completely closed.
Liquids include:
Water and other drinks, soups, syrups
Creams, lotions and oils
Perfumes
Sprays
Gels, including hair and shower gels
Contents of pressurised containers, including shaving foam, other foams and deodorants
Pastes, including toothpaste
Liquid-solid mixtures
Mascara
Any other item of similar consistency.
The plastic bag must be removed from hand baggage, prior to the airport security search point as it will be screened separately.
Any customers with liquids in containers of more than 100ml or unable to meet the detailed restrictions will be required to pack them in their hold baggage. - One small lighter may now be carried through security search points, the lighter container will form part of the liquid allowance within the re-sealable plastic bag. It can either be placed inside the bag or handed separately for screening. It is very important that customers do not place the lighter into their cabin bag after screening and must be carried on their person for the duration of the flight for safety reasons. Please note there remains a total embargo of the carriage of cigarette lighters to/from the USA. Additionally lighters and matches should not be packed in hold luggage under any circumstances.
What does NOT change
Within your hand baggage you can still carry:- Electronic equipment including mobile phones, laptops digital cameras and MP3 players (such as i-Pods). NB: Any large electrical items including laptops will be subject to additional examination and screening and need to be removed from hand baggage prior to the security search point.
- Prescription medicines in liquid form e.g. diabetic kit, as long as verified as authentic (if it is in a container with a capacity of no more than 100mls it should be placed in the plastic bag).
- Baby milk, liquid baby food or special dietary requirement food stuff in liquid form and essential for the trip (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) however should NOT be included within the transparent, re-sealable plastic bag.
- A musical instrument if it can fit within the one piece of hand baggage, if not it will be allowed to be carried as a separate item within the carry case as long as it only contains the instrument itself and no other items.
- Customers departing from the UK are restricted to one piece of hand baggage per person
At the security search point customers will be asked to remove their coats & jackets for x-ray screening, selected customers will be asked to remove their shoes for screening.
Customers travelling to the USA may be subject to secondary searching at the boarding gate.
Restrictions after the Airport Security Search Point
Once in the departure lounge customers may purchase any item including liquids in any store and take it onto the aircraft as normal, flights to the US are no longer subject to separate restrictions.
Additionally liquids and gels purchased in the departures area, including Duty Free items are now permitted on departing flights and may be sealed in a special sealed bag, do not open it before you are screened or if you are transiting flights within the EU otherwise the contents may be confiscated at the security search point.
Travelling from an EU Airport and transiting in the UK with hand baggage:
The same restrictions apply to all transiting customers, additionally where liquids have been purchased on an EU airline, or beyond the security search point at an EU Airport, they must be in a sealed bag with proof of purchase. It is recommended it is not opened before screening at your transit airport.
Travelling from a Non EU Airport to the UK with hand baggage:
Currently at this time there are no restrictions known to Thomsonfly on the carriage of liquids in hand baggage to the UK from outside the EU with the exception of flights from the USA however locally imposed restrictions may apply.
Travelling from a Non EU Airport and transiting in the UK with hand baggage:
Currently at this time there are no restrictions known to Thomsonfly on the carriage of liquids in hand baggage to the UK from outside the EU with the exception of flights from the USA, however locally imposed restrictions may apply. Customers who have travelled from outside the EU through the UK will NOT be able to carry liquid in their hand baggage through the passenger security search points in the UK.
Travelling from the USA to the UK
Customers are also subject to liquid and gel restrictions at security checkpoints into departure areas.
- One clear transparent re-sealable 1 quart (1 litre) size plastic bag containing liquids, gels and /or aerosols.
- In containers (90ml) capacity or less per container are now allowed.
- The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and must be completely closed/sealed and subjected to x-ray inspection from any carry on bag.
- Baby formula/milk and baby food in containers if a baby or small child is travelling
- Medications
- Liquids or gels for diabetic or other medical needs
To guarantee maximum safety, NO scissors, knives or blades, or dangerous goods of any kind are allowed in the aircraft cabin.
Cigarette lighters should be carried on your person and never placed in hold luggage however there is a total embargo of cigarette lighters from the USA.
Useful websites for customers to refer to are below:
Department for Transport: www.dft.gov.uk
British Airports Authority www.baa.co.uk
Thomsonfly Standard Baggage Policy
Each customer is usually entitled to a free total baggage allowance (hand and hold) of 25kg.Customers travelling with Thomsonfly as part of an inclusive package holiday should refer to the baggage allowance allocated by Tour Operators, normally shown on tickets, as these may vary between operators and holiday products.
You may take one item of hand baggage (maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm), plus one handbag, laptop computer bag or equivalent, into the aircraft cabin up to 10kgs.
The total weight of hand luggage items must not exceed 10kg and is part of your total baggage allowance. You must be able to lift this yourself into overhead storage compartments and any handbag or laptop computer bag (or equivalent) must fit under the seat in front of you.
All other baggage, up to your maximum allowance of 25kg, must be checked for carriage in the aircraft hold. All together your combined hand and hold baggage must not weigh more than 25kg.
If your total baggage weight exceeds your 25kg allowance, excess hold baggage will be accepted for carriage subject to the conditions of acceptance of excess baggage, and will be charged at £6 / €9.00 per kg and longhaul £9 / $12.00 each way.
Do not allow any one piece of luggage to exceed 32kg as this exceeds the recommended guidelines for airport baggage handlers to lift.
Infants under the age of 2 have no hand/hold baggage allowance.
It is recommended that video cameras, mobile telephones and other valuable items should be carried as hand luggage; they must not exceed the dimensions outlined above.
Customers will only be able to carry Hypodermic Syringes in their hand luggage if supporting an approved “Diabetic Doctors letter”. Customers carrying such items must also advise check-in staff.
FAQ’S
What am I permitted to carry in my hand baggage?From 0200 on Monday the 6th November you are permitted to carry in your hand baggage small quantities of liquids. These liquids must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 millilitres each. You must pack these containers in one closed transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than 20x20x20 or 8” x 8” or one litre capacity; you will need to supply the bag. It is important not to overfill the bag and that the contents fit comfortably. Any prescription medicine in liquid form e.g. diabetic kit if in containers of 100ml’s or less should be packed in the re-sealable plastic bag. Baby milk, liquid baby food or special dietary requirement food stuff in liquid form and essential for the flight can be carried in your hand baggage however should NOT be included within the transparent, re-sealable plastic bag.
What type of liquids can I now take in my hand luggage?
In addition to prescription medicine in liquid form e.g. diabetic kit, baby milk, liquid baby food or special dietary requirement food stuff in liquid form and essential for the flight (all of which will be subject to proof of verification) liquids up to a maximum of 100 millilitres per container can be carried, the definition of liquids is broad and can include the following gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures e.g. lipstick, mascara and the contents of pressurised containers e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols etc.
What should I do if the containers of liquids are larger than 100mls?
You will need to pack these in your hold luggage.
Can I carry the transparent re-sealable bag in addition to my one piece of hand baggage?
No, it must be included within your one piece of hand baggage however you will need to remove prior to the security search point for examination and screening.
Am I restricted to the amount of hand baggage I can take on board?
Yes, if you are travelling from the UK you are restricted to one piece of hand baggage per person with maximum dimensions of 55 cm x 40 cm x 20cm and up to 10kgs.
Is special dietary food in liquid form allowed for adults?
Yes, if it is essential for the trip.
What is a trip?
It is not just a flight but also the duration of the visit.
Do I have to pack special dietary food, baby milk in the plastic re sealable bag?
No, they should be packed separately in your hand baggage.
What about liquid medicines, should I pack them in the plastic re-sealable bag?
If the essential liquid medicine is in a container with a capacity of no more than 100mls it should be placed in the plastic bag. If it is not placed there or is larger than 100mls it will be subject to the verification procedures laid out by the DFT.
Are children, including babes in arms allowed their own plastic bag of liquids?
Yes
What if the plastic bag is not sealable of damaged?
It is not acceptable.
Will the position on liquids be reviewed?
All measures remain under review.
Are these new arrangements going to stay for some time?
These measures are EU requirements.
