SA announces new airport security measures

AIRPORTS Company South Africa (ACSA) last week announced new rules restricting the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) that passengers may take on board in their hand luggage on international flights.

Effective from June 1, new security measures will be applied at South Africa’s three international airports – OR Tambo, Durban and Cape Town. The purpose of the rules is to protect aircraft against the threat of liquid explosives.In terms of the new rules, any liquids, aerosols or gels in a passenger’s hand luggage must be in containers of maximum 100ml each or smaller.They must be packed in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, the total capacity of which cannot be larger than one litre.However, ACSA’s duty-free shoppers are assured that they will be allowed to take their purchases on board their flight as these stores will carry approved plastic bags.Bongani Maseko, ACSA’s Director of Operations said the introduction of rules on the carrying of LAGs was a global security precautionary measure.The rules are now International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.”In an effort to streamline security checks and processes, ACSA recommends that passengers should place all LAGs in their checked-in luggage.However, passengers that do decide to carry LAGs for various reasons need to take these regulations into account when planning their trips,” he said.The purpose of the rules is to protect aircraft against the threat of liquid explosives.In terms of the new rules, any liquids, aerosols or gels in a passenger’s hand luggage must be in containers of maximum 100ml each or smaller.They must be packed in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, the total capacity of which cannot be larger than one litre.However, ACSA’s duty-free shoppers are assured that they will be allowed to take their purchases on board their flight as these stores will carry approved plastic bags.Bongani Maseko, ACSA’s Director of Operations said the introduction of rules on the carrying of LAGs was a global security precautionary measure.The rules are now International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.”In an effort to streamline security checks and processes, ACSA recommends that passengers should place all LAGs in their checked-in luggage.However, passengers that do decide to carry LAGs for various reasons need to take these regulations into account when planning their trips,” he said.