New Airport Rules Introduced

New restrictions on the quantity of liquids, aerosols and gels that international passengers departing New Zealand can take in their carry-on luggage come into effect on 31 March, and Christchurch International Airport is gearing up to meet these changes.

A nationwide public awareness campaign called Flysmart is now underway and Christchurch International Airport will shortly be undertaking an awareness campaign to help inform the travelling public about the new restrictions.

The new measures will require all international passengers to carry liquids, aerosols or gels in containers of 100ml or less. Containers larger than 100ml will not be permitted in carry-on baggage, even if there is only 100ml of the substance in the larger container. Passengers may carry as many 100ml containers as will fit comfortably in a single re-sealable transparent plastic bag of one litre volume.

These measures will apply to any items that are liquid, aerosol or gel in nature. These will include items such as drinks, perfumes, aftershaves, toothpastes, creams, women's makeup, sprays and gels. These items must be placed in the sealed transparent plastic bag and presented separately for inspection at the passenger screening point.

The new measures on the carriage of liquids, aerosols or gels will not apply to passengers travelling on New Zealand domestic flights, unless they are checking in domestically for an international flight from elsewhere in the country.

These changes will not affect the purchase and carriage of duty free items where passengers are travelling from Christchurch to one final destination, such as Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast or Brisbane (the vast majority of travellers through Christchurch Airport). Passengers who are travelling through more than one port, such as those flying to Sydney or Singapore and continuing on to Europe, may not be able to carry duty free items of greater than one litre, in 100ml containers, with them. This is dependent on the regulations at the transit port and destination. These travellers transiting through an overseas port to another destination may be required to pack any duty free items greater than 100mls into their check-in baggage.

"The airport company is working closely with Aviation Security to ensure these regulations are as straightforward as possible for travellers", says Christchurch International Airport Ltd's General Manager Service & Operations, Darin Cusack. He advises passengers to check the government website www.flysmart.govt.nz for detailed information relating to carry-on baggage and the carriage of duty free items internationally. "By visiting this website before they travel, passengers will be able to familiarise themselves with the new measures for carry-on baggage. By making simple plans and following this advice passengers will ensure a smooth process during check-in and boarding."

The Minister for Transport Safety, Hon Harry Duynhoven, launched Flysmart last month. He says the new security measures are in direct response to the vulnerabilities identified after an alleged terrorist plot was foiled in the UK, where a number of people were planning to board an aircraft with liquid explosives disguised as everyday liquids. This foiled plot demonstrated that there is a need to restrict the quantity of liquids, aerosols or gels permitted onboard screened aircraft.

The Minister also noted that screening for liquids, aerosols or gels is fast becoming a permanent feature of international air travel. "Australia is introducing these new screening measures on 31 March 2007 and from this date will require all inbound flights to comply with the new standard on liquid, aerosols or gels. Because of the volume of flights between New Zealand and Australia, New Zealand had little choice but to introduce the measures by 31 March 2007", said the Minister.

There will be exemptions for personal medications, baby products, and essential dietary supplements in liquid, aerosol or gel form. Further details about these exemptions and the new security measures are available at www.flysmart.govt.nz.

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