Restrictions on duty-free liquids for transfer passengers remain in force for the time being

EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas has, on 29 April, advised EU Member States to defer the removal of restrictions on the carriage of duty free liquids in hand luggage when changing planes. The original intention was to remove the restrictions as of 29 April 2011.

The Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications has ordered Finavia Corporation, without undue delay, to bring the restrictions on the transport of transfer passengers' duty-free liquids back into force on its airports as they were before 29 April 2011.

Several other Member States have also decided to maintain the ban on carrying duty free liquids purchased in third countries. According to the Commission, the situation would not have facilitated travel but rather caused confusion for passengers.

The Commission will conduct a review of the situation together with Member States and consult with the United States as one of the key destinations of flights from the EU.

Nevertheless, the EU is working towards removing all restrictions on the carriage of liquids in hand luggage by 2013. The intention is to apply screening as a method for controlling liquids, rather than imposing bans.

Duty-free liquids can be brought from certain airports

Passengers will continue to be allowed to carry duty-free liquids from all international airports in Canada and the United States, six airports in Croatia (Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka, Split, Zadar and Zagreb), Changi Airport in Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia.

The special rules concerning those airports are already in place, and passengers arriving from them will still be able to transfer at European airports with their duty-free liquids.

Furthermore, passengers travelling with liquid purchases made at EU airports or on board EU air carriers may also transfer at European airports without restriction.

Further information

Ms Auli Kankkunen, Head of Security, Finnish Transport Safety Agency, tel. +358 20 618 6074, +358 40 162 4589, auli.kankkunen(at)trafi.fi

Instructions on carriage of liquids