Restrictions on Hand Carriage of Liquids, Aerosols and Gels – Challenges Faced

8/19/2019 Restrictions on Hand Carriage of Liquids, Aerosols and Gels – Challenges Faced

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Restrictions on Hand Carriage of Liquids,

Aerosols and Gels – Challenges Faced

Abstract

There are many security threats to civil aviation operations and one of them that came to the

fore was in August 2006 when terrorists hatched an alleged plot to destroy several airliners

while flying across the Atlantic Ocean using liquid explosives. That incident drew many

immediate responses and reactions towards minimizing and trying to prevent the occurrence

of such attacs. !owever" the immediate measures imposed resulted in many operational"

security and facilitation pro#lems for airlines" airports" security screeners" passengers" and

airport retailers. To address these concerns" a num#er of $tates and the %nternational &ivilAviation Organization '%&AO( developed a set of security guidelines to provide all

staeholders with a way to eep up security whilst at the same time facilitate the needs of

passengers and airports. Although these guidelines can only serve as interim solutions" they

are nonetheless" useful compared to a situation where staeholders only rely on unilateral

measures to try to address the complexity of issues and procedures" which can #e chaotic.

The adoption of these guidelines as a common approach #y a num#er of $tates was an

encouraging sign. %t showed that $tates could harmonies approaches" measures and

procedures for glo#al security issues if they had the will to do so. This should #e encouraged

and the guidelines recommended #y %&AO to allow the hand carriage of liquids" aerosols and

gels ')A*s( should #e further promoted for adoption #y all $tates until a more permanent"

practical and cost+effective solution can #e found. ,eanwhile" some $tates have em#ared ondeveloping possi#le technological solutions and liquid explosive scanning systems with the

aim of attaining that lasting solution. -hile this is indeed useful" all staeholders will have to

overcome some challenges to the deployment of #oth the hardware and the software" plus

addressing the human factors" for such technological solutions to #e feasi#le.

1.INR!"#CI!N

%n August 2006" ritish security authorities uncovered an alleged plot #y a group of terrorists

to destroy civil aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean flying #etween the / and /$ using liquid

explosives. This alleged plot was not the first time where terrorists had thought of using

liquid explosives to destroy civil aircraft in flight1. %n 13" terrorists lined to the

mastermind of the 14 #om#ing of the -orld Trade &entre in 5ew or &ity" 7amsey

usouf" ignited a nitroglycerin #om# on #oard a 8hilippines Airlines flight from ,anila to

Toyo '5arita Airport( via &e#u" in which one person was illed.

!owever" the August 2006 incident led to the swift imposition of restrictions on hand carried

liquid items on air travelers in some $tates. %n 5ovem#er 2006" the 9uropean /nion '9/(

introduced a #an on hand carriage of )A*s on passengers maing transfer connections from

non 9uropean /nion '9/( airports through 9/ airports. The restrictions were for )iquids"Aerosols and *els ')A*s( items of more than 100 millimeters 'ml( such as duty free liquor"


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perfumes and even drining water that were purchased from the non+9/ airport where the

passenger:s flight had originated from. At the 9/ airports" passengers with hand carried

)A*s items of more than 100ml maing transfer connections would have to dispose of the

)A*s items at the security checpoint #efore #oarding their onward flight. %n the case of the

9/" its restrictions on )A*s" which were passed under law" would not apply to passengers

originating from one 9/ airport with hand carried )A*s items purchased from that airport"when maing transfer connections at another 9/ airport. This was #ecause the 2; 9/

mem#er $tates adopted a common set of security measures that was commonly accepted and

recognized amongst the 9/ mem#er $tates. The measures for )A*s items of a#ove 100ml

sold at retail shops in 9/ airports were primarily centered on such items #eing sealed for

hand carriage in a security tamper+evident #ag '$T9(.

Aside from the 9/" many $tates followed suit to impose restrictions on the hand carriage of

)A*s items a#ove 100ml on passengers maing transfer connections at their airports. One

$tate even went further to impose a #an on passengers carrying )A*s items of more than

100ml when arriving into its airports" regardless of whether the passenger was maing an

onward transfer connection.

The common arrangement that was adopted #y many $tates was for personal )A*s items

which the passengers would need during their flight. $uch items would include toiletries and

medication which could #e carried on#oard the flight so long as each item was ept in

containers no more than 100ml and all such containers can fit into a one+litre reseala#le

transparent plastic #ag.

H$ %I#AI!N

The result of these restrictions imposed at many airports around the world was an array ofmass confusion" conflicting procedures and massive wastage arising from the confiscation

and mandatory disposal of )A*s items of more than 100ml at airport security screening

points. This created an environmentally unfriendly situation at many airports where large

quantities of confiscated liquids" including liquor and cosmetics" had to #e discarded daily.

%n the initial months following the August 2006 incident in the /" and with airports

imposing )A*s restrictions in an ad+hoc and non+uniformed manner" many passengers were

gripped with confusion. They were unsure whether they could carry )A*s of a#ove 100ml

on#oard their flights. %n many cases" such items of a#ove 100ml were permitted for carriage

on the flight at the airport of origin. !owever" there was no assurance that the same item

could #e hand carried at the airport where the passenger was maing a transfer or transit

connection. %n some airports" the retail outlets selling )A*s items of more than 100ml" suchas duty free liquor and cosmetics" would seal the items in a $T9. The passenger could then

carry this item as sealed in the $T9 to #oard the flight and mae transfer connections if the

transfer airport permitted and accepted the $T9 as a form of security measure to

authenticate that the )A*s item #eing hand carried #y the passenger was harmless and had

not #een tampered with. The state of confusion was indeed significant. %n many airports"

transfer passengers could not comprehend nor could they accept that their )A*s items

purchased from the retail shops at the airport of origin had to #e discarded at the transfer

airport" in some cases even though the )A*s item had #een sealed in a $T9. The situation

was made worse when the same item #eing discarded could #e #ought at the airport where the

passenger was maing the transfer connection.

Airport security screeners also found themselves in a quagmire. Aside from their primaryduty of screening passengers to ensure that they do not carry weapons and explosives onto


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the aircraft" the screeners now had to pay close attention to chec on whether passengers were

carrying their )A*s items for personal use on#oard the flight in one+litre transparent plastic

#ags. They also had to sieve out )A*s items of more than 100ml for disposal 'in many

airports( or to assess whether they are allowed through the airport security screening point"

according to the airport:s security restrictions. These added stress on to many airport security

screeners.Airport retailers faced challenges especially when selling )A*s items a#ove 100ml. On one

hand" they would want to carry on selling such items as usual. ut they also did not want to

have the passengers #uying these items" only to have these items confiscated at the airport

security screening points as a result of the varying )A*s restrictions and rules imposed #y

different countries. 7etailers had to mae a conscious effort to provide the passengers with as

accurate advice as possi#le" whether they could hand carry the )A*s item through the airport

where the passengers would #e maing their transfer connections. $ome retailers also had to

ascertain whether the )A*s items needed to #e sealed in $T9s #efore selling them to the

passengers. All these also added to the level of uncertainty and confusion faced #y passengers

and the airport community.

5eedless to say" the airlines were equally inconvenienced. $ome $tates imposed onto theairlines the responsi#ility of ensuring that passengers did not flout the )A*s restrictions.


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ensure that the relevant security concerns were addressed" yet with minimal inconvenience to

passengers and security screening personnel.

These guidelines resulted in some positive developments and agreements #etween $tates in

allowing transfer passengers to hand carry )A*s items" especially those a#ove 100ml sealed

in $T9s" when maing transfer connections at each other:s airports. -ith the issuance of

these guidelines" many regulators" airport operators and retailers started approving oradopting the use of $T9s for the security of hand carried )A*s of more than 100ml sold at

airport shops #y air travellers3.


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200" the 8resident of the %&AO &ouncil" ,r. 7o#erto o#eh *onzBlez" said that %&AO was

also in the process of evaluating the effectiveness and practical application of such scanners

in detecting )A*s that could #e used as explosives to threaten civil aviation operations. !e

added" on an optimistic note" that the new measures using such new liquid explosive scanners

at airports could possi#ly #e introduced as early as 20106.

. %*%$) "!)AIN

There is no dou#t that technology will provide a superior method to help security screeners at

airports across the world detect liquid explosives to weed out such threats. The use of

technology has proven to #e useful as seen in the development and deployment of explosive

detection x+ray systems in many airports today to screen hold luggage for explosive items. %f

the same could #e done to screen liquids" where the scanners are a#le to detect liquidexplosives swiftly and accurately" hence enhancing #oth security and facilitation" it would

certainly raise the level of security and efficiency at all airports. 8assengers would also not

have to suffer the inconveniences that they had faced" and in some airports" continue to face"

and to have their )A*s items confiscated and discarded even if the items were not liquid

explosives #ut #onafide )A*s items purchased from airport shops.

-. A''LICAI!N "!)AIN

CHALL$NG$%

There will" however" #e some challenges which all staeholders are liely to face in the quest

towards developing and employing new security screening technology to screen for liquid

explosives at airports. These includeC

Accurac and %/eed of "etection

*iven the high volume of passengers and demands for fast throughput" and to meet airport

minimum connecting times to ensure efficiency and on+time departures" the liquid explosive

scanners would have to #e a#le to scan and detect such materials swiftly and accurately.

Otherwise" such scanners would add on to the security processing times at airport security

screening points" and may #ring a#out more inconveniences.


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A0ailabilit of %canning $qui/ent

%t would not #e possi#le for all airports around the world to implement such liquid explosives

scanning equipment quicly" when an DidealE system has #een developed for use at airports.

There will #e issues which %&AO would need to resolve" such as detection and systemstandards" so that airports would #e a#le to at least apply and adopt a #aseline standard when

employing such equipment 'the airports could" of course" employ equipment that go #eyond

the #aseline level if they wish(. %t will certainly tae time for equipment manufacturers to

produce the expected high num#ers of scanning equipment to meet the demands of many

airports worldwide. There will also #e the issue of whether $tates and airports have the

financial means to procure and deploy such scanning equipment quicly and in large

num#ers.

)an2)achine Interface

8rocuring and installing liquid explosive scanning equipment at airports would #e =ust a first

step. The next critical step is to ensure that airport security screeners using the scanners are

properly trained to operate them accurately. The scanners would also need to #e well

maintained for maximum effectiveness. These will tae time to #e achieved effectively.

he Interi

Assuming that an DidealE liquid explosive scanner will #e successfully developed for use in a

high human volume airport environment that also meets the demands of speed and accuracy"regulators" airport security screeners" passengers and staeholders will have to manage an

interim period straddling across the current measures 'i.e. use of $T9s for )A*$ a#ove

100ml( and the use of new scanning equipment. This interim period could well #e in the form

of the originating airport using new scanning technology" #ut the transfer airport has not yet

employed similar scanning technology. This would suggest that in the interim period"

regulators" security screeners" passengers and airport retailers would still have to implement

the current measures" whilst phasing in the use of new liquid explosive scanners. This can

possi#ly lead to some degree of confusion again and it would have to #e carefully managed

and well coordinated at the operational level.

3. F$A%I(ILI* %#"*

Co/lete detail stud of ho4 and 4h Restrictions on Hand Carriage of

Liquids, Aerosols and Gels 4as /ut and 4as ta5en so seriousl.

The 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot was a terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives carried on

#oard seven airliners travelling from the /nited ingdom to the /nited $tates and &anada.

The plot was discovered and foiled #y ritish police #efore it could #e carried out and" as a

result" unprecedented security measures were immediately put in place.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosive_materialhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airlinerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Police_Servicehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airlinerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Police_Servicehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosive_material


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The restrictions were gradually relaxed in the following wees" #ut passengers were still not

allowed to carry containers with more than 100ml of liquids onto commercial aircraft as of

2016.

Of the approximately 23 suspects who were arrested in and around )ondon on the night of

August 2006" eleven were charged with terrorism offences on 21 August" two on 2 August'su#sequently discharged on 1 5ovem#er(" and a further three on 40 August. 9ight men

'Ahmed A#dullah Ali" Assad $arwar" Tanvir !ussain" Oliver $avant" Arafat han" -aheed

Faman" /mar %slam" ,ohammed *ulzar( were charged in connection with the plot. The trial

#egan in April 200G and ended in $eptem#er. The =ury failed to reach a verdict on charges of

conspiracy to ill #y #lowing up aircraft" #ut the court did find three guilty of conspiracy to

murder. %n $eptem#er 200" a second trial 'of the eight men excluding *ulzar #ut with the

addition of >onald $tewart+-hyte( found Ali" $arwar" and !ussain guilty of the plot.

%n @uly 2010" %#rahim $avant" Arafat han and -aheed Faman were found guilty at

-oolwich &rown &ourt and sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to murder. They must

serve a minimum of 20 years in prison #efore #eing eligi#le for release.

%ur0eillance

%n 8aistan" a ritish man from irmingham named 7ashid 7auf is #elieved to have put

plotters in touch with al+HaedaIs leadership. -hen Ahmed Ali" who was under police

surveillance" returned from 8aistan in @une 2006" investigators covertly opened his #aggage.

%nside they found a powdered soft drinJ Tang Jand a large num#er of #atteries" which

raised suspicionsK in the following wees the police mounted the /Is largest surveillance

operation" calling on an additional 220 officers from other forces.

Assad $arwar 'from !igh -ycom#e( was seen #uying items that did not appear to fit with hisdaily needs" and which may have had a potentially deadly context. On one occasion

surveillance officers watched him dispose of empty hydrogen peroxide #ottles at a recycling

center. $arwar and Ali were seen meeting in an east )ondon par. -hen ,% covertly entered

a flat #eing used #y Ali" they found what appeared to #e a #om# factory. They placed a

camera and microphoneK on 4 August Ali and Tanvir !usain were seen constructing devices

out of drin #ottles. $urveillance officers watched Ali spend two hours in an %nternet cafe

researching flight timeta#les.

Arrests

On August 2006" ritish police arrested 23 suspects. The arrests were made in )ondon"

irmingham" and !igh -ycom#e" ucinghamshire" in an overnight operation. Two of the

arrests were made in the irmingham area" where firearms officers were not involved" and

five were made in !igh -ycom#e. The ey suspects were ritish+#orn ,uslims" some of

8aistani descent.L;MLGMLM Three of the suspects were recent converts to %slam.

5ineteen of the suspects had their finances frozen. $eventeen of the suspects were later

charged with conspiracy to murder and commit acts of terrorism or failing to disclose

information a#out acts of terrorism. 9ight of the suspects were released without charge.

Another seven suspects were arrested in 8aistan on charges related to the alleged plot.

8olice said they had #een o#serving this plot for months" and that the Ninvestigation reached a

critical point last night ' August 2006( when the decision was made to tae urgent action inorder to disrupt what we #elieve was #eing planned.N An undercover ritish agent had

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_imprisonmenthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashid_Raufhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaedahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_(drink)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Wycombehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MI5https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_cafehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birminghamhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Wycombehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_conversionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_imprisonmenthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashid_Raufhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaedahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_(drink)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Wycombehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MI5https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_cafehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birminghamhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Wycombehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_conversion


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infiltrated the group" according to American government sources. According to ic &heney is reported to have NorderedN

the arrest of 7auf in 8aistan in August 2006" apparently with a view to providing Ngood

newsN ahead of the /$ 2006 mid+term elections.

he alleged /lot

Res/onsibilit.

8aul eaver" a ritish terrorism expert" said that it appeared possi#le that the militant %slamic

organization al+Haeda was #ehind the plot" which was to tae place only wees after the

group threatened to attac ritish aviation. /nited $tates >epartment of !omeland $ecurity

'>!$( $ecretary &hertoff stated the plot" which was Ngetting close to the execution phaseN"

was Nsuggestive of an al+Haeda plotN.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Frattinihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Frattinihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Commissioner_for_Justice,_Freedom_%26_Securityhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlineshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlineshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Canadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Newshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraordinary_renditionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashid_Raufhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Townsendhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Suskindhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_of_the_World_(book)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Cheneyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_elections,_2006https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militant_(disambiguation)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_fundamentalismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaedahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Securityhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Chertoffhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Frattinihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Frattinihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Commissioner_for_Justice,_Freedom_%26_Securityhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlineshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlineshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Canadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Newshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraordinary_renditionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashid_Raufhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Townsendhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Suskindhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_of_the_World_(book)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Cheneyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_elections,_2006https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militant_(disambiguation)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_fundamentalismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaedahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Securityhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Chertoff


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Liquid e6/losi0es

The plotters planned to use peroxide+#ased liquid explosives.LM /$ authorities named two

peroxides that could #e usedC acetone peroxide 'TAT8( and hexamethylene triperoxide

diamine '!,T>(. These Nare sensitive to heat" shoc" and friction" can #e initiated simplywith fire or electrical charge" and can also #e used to produce improvised detonators.N

,etropolitan 8olice sources confirmed that the plot involved TAT8. According to the 5ew

or Times" the plotters wanted to use !,T>.

>uring the trial of the conspirators the prosecution stated that each alleged #om#er would

#oard a plane with the Nnecessary ingredients and equipmentN. They would then construct the

devices mid+flight and detonate them. The alleged #om#s would include 00 ml plastic

#ottles of the Oasis and )ucozade soft drins. A sugary drin powder" Tang" would #e mixed

with hydrogen peroxide to colour the liquid to resem#le a normal soft drin. !ydrogen

peroxide is widely availa#le for use as hair #leach and along with the other ingredients can

#ecome explosive if mixed to a specific strength. The mixture would #e in=ected into a #ottle

with the help of a syringe. The #ottleIs cap would not have #een removed and the hole would

have #een resealed" there#y allowing the device to resem#le a normal drin #ottle when

screened #y airport security. The use of liquid explosives with dissolved powder is similar to

the composition used in the 21 @uly 200 )ondon #om#ings" using hydrogen peroxide and

chapatti flour" activated #y a detonator .

A second su#stance" a type of high explosive" would #e hidden within an AA #attery casingK

this small explosive charge detonate the main #om#. The charge would #e detonated #y

lining the #ottle of explosives to a light #ul# and a disposa#le camera. The charge from the

cameraIs flash unit would #e enough to trigger the explosion.On 2G August 2006 the 5ew or Times reported that seven martyrdom tapes made #y six

suspects were recovered. This was confirmed #y prosecution during the su#sequent trial.

Air/orts /lanned to be affected

#nited 7ingdo.

R )ondon !eathrow Airport" )ondon" 9ngland

Targeted flights

#nited %tatesR $an ulles %nternational Airport" -ashington" >.&.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_peroxidehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosive_materialhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetone_peroxidehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexamethylene_triperoxide_diaminehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexamethylene_triperoxide_diaminehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Timeshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Timeshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(drink)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucozadehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21_July_2005_London_bombingshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_peroxidehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detonatorhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AA_batteryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Heathrow_Airporthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London,_Englandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_International_Airporthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco,_Californiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O'Hare_International_Airporthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago,_Illinoishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulles_International_Airporthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_peroxidehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosive_materialhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetone_peroxidehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexamethylene_triperoxide_diaminehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexamethylene_triperoxide_diaminehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Timeshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Timeshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(drink)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucozadehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21_July_2005_London_bombingshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_peroxidehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detonatorhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AA_batteryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Heathrow_Airporthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London,_Englandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_International_Airporthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco,_Californiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O'Hare_International_Airporthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago,_Illinoishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulles_International_Airporthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.


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R @ohn enver" oston" and ,iami as

destinations to target possi#ly along with the other flights.

R /nited Airlines


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'olitical reaction.

8rior to the arrests" the plot was discussed at a high level of governmentK 8rime ,inister

Tony lair new a#out it for months" and alerted 8resident *eorge -. ush to the

investigation on $unday 6 August 2006.

On August" hours #efore the arrests" !ome $ecretary @ohn 7eid gave a ma=or speech to>emos 'a ritish thin+tan ( hinting at a new round of anti+terror legislation and claiming

that the country was facing Npro#a#ly the most sustained period of severe threat since the end

of the second world warE. The following day 7eid #roe the news along with >ouglas

Alexander " the Transport $ecretary.

'ublic announceent

On 10 August 2006 the >eputy &ommissioner of the ,etropolitan 8olice" 8aul $tephenson"said that the plot" aimed to destroy as many as ten aircraft in mid+flight from the /nited

ingdom to the /nited $tates" using explosives #rought on #oard in the suspectsI hand

luggage" was disrupted.'(5ews media reported that planned targets included American

Airlines" ritish Airways" &ontinental Airlines" and /nited Airlines flights from )ondon

!eathrow and )ondon *atwic airports to &hicago" %llinoisK )os AngelesK ,iamiK Orlando"


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individuals #oth in the / and a#road. %n interviews with the &" @ohn 7eid descri#ed the

letter as Na dreadful mis=udgmentN" and former &onservative leader ,ichael !oward

descri#ed it as Na form of #lacmailN.

R 8rime ,inister Tony lair was on holiday during these events" #ut decided not to return to

the /. lair had #een notified of the raid prior to its occurrence" and ept in constant

contact with officials. !e #riefed 8resident *eorge -. ush a#out the raid overnight.LritainIs >eputy 8rime ,inister " @ohn 8rescott" nominally running the / government

during Tony lairIs holiday" paid tri#ute to the way the / reacted to what he called an

Nextraordinary past 46 hoursS in the efforts to protect this countryN. !e expressed his

Ndeepest appreciationN to the Nreal dedicationN shown #y security services" police" transport

staff and aviation companies and praised !ome $ecretary >r @ohn 7eid and Transport

$ecretary >ouglas Alexander . 8rescott added that the ritish pu#lic had acted Ncalmly"

sensitively and with great patience.N

%ce/ticis in res/onse to the arrests

$everal commentators expressed scepticism over the allegations.,any mentioned the


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checpoints were also implemented at many American airports" such as ostonIs )ogan

%nternational Airport.

#nited 7ingdo

espite having made it clear in August that the unprecedented security measures were Nhere

to stayN" at the end of $eptem#er" upon pressure from the industry representatives and

professional musicians" the ritish government relaxed the restrictions on size to the aviation

industry standard '6 cm 3 cm 2 cm( and allowed musical instruments as carry+on

luggage. On 6 5ovem#er 2006 the restrictions were relaxed once again to allow limited

amounts of liquids in the ca#in.

%n 5ovem#er 200; Transport $ecretary 7uth elly announced that from G @anuary 200Gritish airports will #e a#le to allow more than one item of hand luggage on #oard. This was

following criticism in Octo#er #y the shadow transport secretary Theresa Pilliers" who said

that #ecause of the restrictive rules" !eathrow was Nrapidly #ecoming a national

em#arrassmentN. &hief executive of ritish Airways -illie -alsh was also critical" saying

that they are Ndamaging the /Is reputation around the world from a #usiness perspectiveE.

!owever" the implementation of this new rule is su#=ect to the discretion of the individual

airports" and at some airports" differs depending on the airline travelled with.

#nited %tates.


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9ventually" it #ecame that passengers are allowed only a certain amount of liquid a#oard an

aircraft in carry+on luggage. The restrictions do not apply to checed luggage. )iquids that

measure 100 ml '4. imp fl ozK 4.3 /$ fl oz( or less are allowed" including aerosols. Another

stipulation applies to the total size of each container 'no larger than 4 oz(" regardless of the

total volume of the liquid. T$A standards require all non+medical liquids of appropriate

volume #e confined to a quart+sized plastic #ag" with only one such #ag allowed per passenger. Any non+medical 'also called exempti#le( liquids that do not fit in the #ag are not

permitted. This means that if the plastic #ag is full" any excess liquids cannot #e taen in

carry+on. T$A officers are required to inform passengers of their options for excess liquids or

liquids over the quantity limit. These areC

R 7eturn to the air carrier ticeting counter and place a luggage item with the liquids into

checed luggage.

R 7eturn the liquid's( to the passengerIs vehicle" if a#le.

R %f a non+traveling companion is availa#le" the liquids may #e turned over to them" provided

they are not entering the secured areas of the airport.

$urrender the liquid's( to the T$A for disposal. '5oteC if a companion is accompanying the

passenger to the #oarding gate" the companion is not a#le to leave his or her liquids with theT$A for retrieval #y the non+ticeted companion(

$ffect

Overall" an estimated 300"000 passengers were affected #ecause of the alerts. %t has #een

estimated that the first day of delays cost the airlines over V1; million.

As many as 20"000 #ags are #elieved to have #een misplaced at !eathrow.

Flight cancellations on 19 August.

All international in#ound flights to )ondon !eathrow Airport were cancelled on the day of

the arrests" most nota#ly the Thursday short+haul flights of ritish Airways. $ome of the last

international in#ound flights to arrive" had landed at ;am and were immediately told to

reclaim their #aggage. $ome flights to and from )ondon *atwic Airport were also

suspended" although /$ Airways flights continued flying normally from *atwic according

to the airlineIs helpline. 8assengers 'connecting flights and non+connecting flights( in )ondon

!eathrow were ased to collect their luggage and wait until further notice. )ater on that

evening" some flights had resumed. $horter flights as far as >u#lin" %reland were resumed

around 6pm. !owever" passengers #oarding the plane were told they may only carry their #oarding pass and passport. All of their #elongings were to #e stowed into carry+on luggage

and checed in with the rest of their luggage.

%er0ice resu/tion

Tents on the car par in front of terminal 3. !eathrow" 13 August. They were erected to give

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Heathrow_Airporthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Gatwick_Airporthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Airwayshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heathrowhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Heathrow_Airporthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Gatwick_Airporthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Airwayshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heathrow


15/23

people a place to stay while waiting for their flight to depart

A few hours after the #eginning of the confusion" aircraft #egan to fly out of )ondon

!eathrow" although not at the usual level of more than one per minute. The situation

remained chaotic with huge queues of passengers waiting to chec+in and get through the

strengthened security procedures" and reports of some aircraft leaving !eathrow airport with

only transit passengers a#oard.

On $unday 14 August" 40W of flights out of !eathrow were cancelled to reduce pressure on

the screeners. y 1 August flight cancellations had fallen to 3; flights at !eathrow" and G

7yan air flights from $tansted. %t was reported #y A that 10"000 items of #aggage #elonging

to their passengers had gone missing. %t was anticipated that cancellations would reduce on

16 August" with 0W of flights expected to depart as scheduled.

Contro0ers o0er the alert

On 12 August a pu#lic argument #roe out #etween AA" the operator of !eathrow and other

airports" and ritish Airways" with -illie -alsh" AIs &hief 9xecutive" accusing AA of not

#eing a#le to cope with the increased security and #aggage checs. 7yanair also called on the

ritish government to employ police and military reservists to speed up the full #ody

searches which were now mandated.

Three days later on 12 August 2006 the owner and operator of )ondon !eathrow" AA

ordered airlines using the airport to mae a 40 per cent reduction in departing passenger

flights 'something A was already having to do as many passengers missed flights due to the

extra time it too to clear security(" to help reduce delays and cancellations.LG4M

On 1G August 7yanairIs &9O" ,ichael OI)eary delivered an ultimatum to the ritish

government demanding the resumption of normal hand #aggage dimensions and handscreening one passenger in four instead of one in two within one wee" otherwise 7yanair

would sue the *overnment for compensation under section 4 of the Transport Act 2000. The

government responded that the actions were taen under the Aviation $ecurity Act 1G2" and

no compensation was paya#le.

$everal pilots have complained a#out the NridiculousN luggage restrictions that was thought

up #y Nutter moronsN.&arolyn 9vans" head of flight safety at the ritish Airline 8ilots

Association" said that Nthe procedures put in place are not sustaina#le long term" and unless

the passengers are treated more reasona#ly we will not have an industry leftN.

The ritish government was criticized for scare mongering for its response to the alert andfor using it to drive through unpopular reforms.

$conoic effects.

The Times commented the day after the arrests" that the economic effects were minor and that

the


16/23

9stimates have also #een made of the cost to airlines of their disrupted #usiness. ritish

Airways had to cancel 12G0 flights" at a cost of V30 million. 7yanair had to cancel 00 flights

and sued the / government for the V4.4 million the cancellations cost them. 9asy@et had to

cancel 36 flights" at a cost of a#out V3 million. AA says the alert cost them V14 million.

Air passengers also switched to other means of travel" including ferries operating from >over

to &alais" and 9urostar .

A considered maing a claim for compensation against AA" which operates !eathrow" for

its failure to provide adequate security services and shortages of personnel during the crisis.

%n 5ovem#er 2006" A claimed the increased security measures since August had cost it

V100 million. On 14 August 2006" ,ichael OI)eary" the chief executive of 7yanair " claimed

that the chaos at airports meant that the terrorists were achieving their aims. On 2 August

2006" OI)eary announced plans to sue the ritish *overnment over the disruption to his

#usiness.

rial


17/23

must serve at least 46 years" while Tanvir !ussain" 2G" was =ailed for at least 42 years at

-oolwich &rown &ourt.

%n @uly 2010" %#rahim $avant" Arafat han and -aheed Faman were found guilty at

-oolwich &rown &ourt and sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to murder. They must

serve a minimum of 20 years in prison #efore #eing eligi#le for release.

International Ci0il A0iation !rgani:ation

R$;#$% F!R "$


18/23

1. INR!"#CI!N

1.1 The alleged terrorist plot in the / in August 2006 highlighted a new threat of liquid

explosives on #oard aircraft. $ince then" the %nternational &ivil Aviation Organization '%&AO(had issued three $tate )etters that provided useful guidance on the implementation of liquids"

aerosols and gels ')A*s( restrictions. These included guidelines on the technical

specifications of the $ecurity Tamper+9vident ag '$T9s(" supply chain security for )A*s

and $T9s" and the validation processes for mutual acceptance #y &ontracting $tates.

1.2 5onetheless" the experience at airports has shown that while some airports have put in

place various measures and procedures concerning the hand carriage of liquids" aerosols and

gels #y air travelers" other airports and regulators are still woring out how they could

institute practical measures to eep up security while at the same time minimize confusion"

inconvenience" financial loss and improve airport facilitation for air travelers. %n some

airports" transfer passengers continue to a#andon their )A*s items" especially those

purchased at airport retail outlets" which is wasteful and environmentally unfriendly.

Therefore" the development of detailed guidance materials on )A*s security controls is

necessary to assist &ontracting $tates to move towards harmonized implementation" there#y

increasing the level of security while maintaining good facilitation for air travelers on a

glo#al #asis.

&. %INGA'!R$>% $='$RI$NC$

2.1 $ingapore implemented the security measures for )A*s on G ,ay 200;. To ensure

smooth implementation of )A*s control measures" a pu#lic communication campaign waslaunched one month prior to the implementation date. The media and travel trade were

engaged for this purpose. The &ivil Aviation Authority of $ingapore also wored actively

with airlines and ground handling agents to inform passengers of the new restrictions.

$imilarly" overseas airports were notified of $ingapore:s implementation to minimize

inconvenience to passengers. $ingapore also em#ared on an extensive training programmer

for security" retail" and frontline customer service and chec+in staff. At the airport" multi+

lingual signs were placed at strategic locations to inform the travelling pu#lic of the new

measures. 7e+pacing counters and disposal #ins were also placed at various areas to

facilitate passengers. >uring the initial implementation phase" additional customer service

staff were deployed to help with queries and distri#ute re+seala#le plastic #ags to passengers.

2.2 5ot withstanding these initiatives" a num#er of travelers at $ingapore &hangi Airport"

especially transfer passengers" have had to discard their )A*s purchases as these purchases

were not paced in proper $T9s. >ue to the differing treatment #y $tates for certain )A*s

items at other airports of origin" travelers also encountered pro#lems during security

screening at $ingapore &hangi Airport.

+. R$;#$% F!R "$AIL$" G#I"ANC$ )A$RIAL

4.1 The restrictions on the hand carriage of )A*s are liely to continue until new detection

technology for liquid explosives that can #e deployed effectively in an airport environment is

availa#le. This could tae a considera#le amount of time. !ence" it would #e useful for many$tates if %&AO could quicly develop and promulgate detailed guidance material to guide


19/23

$tates in the effective and comprehensive implementation of restrictions on )A*s. Taing

into account that the amendment to the seventh edition of the $ecurity ,anual for

$afeguarding &ivil Aviation Against Acts of /nlawful %nterference '>oc G;4( is in progress"

it would #e worthwhile to develop and include the detailed guidance material in this

amendment to this document. 9xamples of detailed guidance that would #e helpful to $tates

would #e instructions" documentation and guidance for the training of screeners and travelretail staff on the identification and the handling and storage of )A*s and $T9s items.

>etailed guidance for chec+in and other frontline staff on the screening of passengers"

handling of various scenarios and situations" implementation of supply chain security

measures" and development of checlists for the validation of security regimes" could #e of

assistance to the implementing $tates on how the measures could #e effectively and

efficiently planned and applied.

4.2 $tates that are moving towards implementation or enhancement of the )A*s restrictions

will #enefit most from these detailed guidance materials as they will have a clearer step+ #y+

step understanding of the measures needed to put in place for )A*s restrictions. -ith this"

$tates can meet the expected security standards for )A*s implementation" there#y aiding thevalidation process for the mutual acceptance #etween $tates of each other:s security regime.

This will also help %&AO and its &ontracting $tates to progress towards a harmonized

approach for the security of )A*s carried #y air travelers.

. C!NCL#%I!N

3.1 %&AO has #een prompt and decisive in leading the drive to respond to this security threat.

The AP$9& 8anel was convened shortly after the alleged plot and was effective in

galvanizing support from $tates to respond to this threat. 9fforts put in #y the $tudy *roup

on the &arriage and $creening of )iquids *els and Aerosols and the &ouncil had ena#led the

rapid issuance #y %&AO of the $tate )etters for $tates: implementation. $ingapore would lie

to suggest that %&AO carry on with the momentum to reconvene the $ecretariat $tudy *roup

on the &arriage and $creening of )iquids" *els and Aerosols to develop this set of detailed

guidance material for )A*s as soon as practica#le.

Air Liquids, aerosols and gels


20/23

uty+free liquids purchased at certain airports in &roatia" ,alaysia" $ingapore or at

international airports in &anada or the /.$ on condition that they are paced in a $T9 inside

which satisfactory proof of purchase at airside at that airport within the preceding 46 hours isdisplayed.

This #an was envisaged as a temporary restriction to #e lifted when suita#le technology to

screen liquids for explosives #ecame readily availa#le.


21/23

of passengers" and enhance the passenger experience and will support activities #y airport

operators and equipment manufactures that wor towards this o#=ective.

The duty+free and travel retail channel is one of the most secure supply chains" with long

esta#lished requirements for a secure environment. !owever" in recent years" increased

regulation andXor restrictions have #een introduced in response to the insecure glo#al

environment 'terrorism(.

LAGs and %$(s


22/23

successfully screened with enhanced screening technology at the transfer airport security

chec point. >uty free )A*s in containers of 100 ml or less do not need to #e screened #ut

should #e carried separately in $T9s.

The situation for the /$A is differentC only passengers going to the /$ and transferring

onwards from a direct flight from the 9/X&anadaXAustralia" or having transferred through the9/X&anadaXAustralia will #e allowed to carry duty+free )A*s in a $T9 once successfully

screened at the /$ transfer airport security chec point.


23/23

adopt new technological solutions should continue" especially if it will offer all staeholders a

#etter and more efficient way of facilitating the hand carriage of )A*s items #etween and

across airports" whilst also enhancing the level of aviation security around the world.

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Restrictions on Hand Carriage of Liquids, Aerosols and Gels – Challenges Faced

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