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Scanners open the way for lifting ban on airline liquids
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent10.09.08
The ban on liquids being carried on to airlines may be lifted as early as next year, it was claimed today.
New technology already being deployed at Heathrow's Terminal 5 can detect the presence of liquids in bags and could be adapted to uncover possible explosive substances. A security industry source told The Independent: "The technology is there, which will allow these scanners not only to test for liquids but also to determine if those liquids are dangerous or not.
"That technology is being tested by the security services and when they are happy that it works then the ban will be lifted."
The ban was introduced overnight in August 2006 when police swooped on a gang suspected of plotting to blow up airliners with liquid bombs.
Airlines want to see an end to the restrictions because of the cost, though passengers have been broadly content to put up with the ban in the interests of security.
Three men were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday of conspiracy to murder using liquid bombs. though a jury could not decide if they planned to detonate the devices on aircraft.
Virgin Atlantic is the first airline to call for an end to the ban. Senior BA sources are said to be in favour of a relaxation of the rules but only if it is safe to do so.
Scientists working for the Department of Transport have been testing scanning equipment for liquids but at present it is considered too slow to work in crowded terminals.
Peter Clarke, former head of counter terrorism at Scotland Yard, said the restrictions must remain saying: "This means of detonation is still in the hands of the terrorists, and so to wind back security, to think of going back to a position where the terrorists could defeat airport security, seems to me foolhardy."
Stephen Phipson, group managing director of security technology firm Smiths Detection, which has developed the scanners, said: "We are now workingclosely with the authorities to achieve our goal of distinguishing between benign and dangerous liquids.
"Rigorous testing has begun and, if the results are positive, we are hopeful that, by early next year, our technology will alow a return to the days before hand luggage had to be emptied of perfumes, bottled water, toothpaste and so on."
Analysts say the liquid bomb plot cost the industry £200 million. The hand luggage restrictions mean that bottles containing more than 100ml of liquid cannot be allowed. BAA, which runs Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, had to recruit 3,000 staff to cope with the restrictions.
Reader views (1)
I didn't realise liquids were still banned - which is slightly worrying given that I'm due to fly in a few weeks! (I don't fly often - the airports and staff make it such an unpleasant experience that I try to avoid it.) Thank you for the heads-up that I need to find out what else has changed since I last flew - I'd assumed the airline would tell me the regulations, as happened previously.
- Suzanne, London
