ACI APAC & MID calls for coordinated approach on potential relaxation of 100ml Liquids Rule in hand luggage
- 2024-02-25
ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East participated at the 9th Annual Technical and Operational Meeting (ATOM) of the Cooperative Aviation Security Programme – Asia Pacific (CASP-AP) in Vientiane, Laos from 15-16 February 2024, hosted by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) of Laos.
CASP-AP is a regional ICAO programme that aims to provide technical assistance to States in Asia-Pacific to enhance and implement aviation security compliances.
Attended by over 50 representatives from various States and industry associations, the two-day meeting discussed extensively on the training and capacity building initiatives in aviation security and the priority areas that the CAS-AP should focus on in the coming year.
Mr. Gary Leung, Senior Manager, Security and Facilitation, ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East at the 9th Annual Technical and Operational Meeting
Mr. Gary Leung, Senior Manager, Security and Facilitation of ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East, presented insights into how the restrictions on Liquid, Aerosol or Gel (LAGs) in hand language continue to disrupt passenger journeys. He pointed out that the frequent need to screen or re-screen LAGs impacts the efficiency at airport security checkpoints.
Emphasising the advancements in screening technology, Mr. Leung pointed out that certain European States, such as the UK, have started to announce plan to gradually relax the 100ml LAGs rule and allow passengers to carry a larger quantity onto the flight at certain airports. However, he cautioned that the lack of uniformity in the adoption of these protocols across States could lead to confusion among passengers, especially transfer passengers.
Mr. Leung stressed the importance of a harmonised and coordinated approach among States on any potential plan to relax such rules in the future. Furthermore, he underscored the importance of communicating any changes in national regulations to both the industry and passengers to minimise travel disruptions.
Besides, some other common security challenges faced by airports in the region were highlighted in the ACI APAC & MID’s presentation, such as the challenge on insider threats and security staff shortages.
To know more about our advocacy in aviation security, please contact Mr. Gary Leung at gary@aci-asiapac.aero.