Bahrain bans liquids and aerosols on board flights

New safety restrictions on liquids, gels and aerosols carried on board flights will be implemented at Bahrain International Airport from Sunday.

All passengers boarding commercial flights are permitted to carry liquids in containers of no more than 100ml on board, brought to the airport in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag – itself no more than a litre in capacity.

The plastic bag should measure approximately 20cm by 20cm and must be presented separately from hand luggage and other items at the X-ray checkpoint.

Officials say that the changes come after the delayed decision to come in line with international regulations aimed at tackling the threat from liquid explosives.

Head of public relations at Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Authority, Yousef Mohammed Mahmoud, explained: “The regulations were supposed to be implemented in July but we delayed it until September to avoid disrupting the busy summer period.

“The recommendations come from the International Civil Aviation Organisation issued on December 11, 2006, and have been adopted by the Safety and Security Committee.

“They will make flights safer by stopping the misuse of liquids to cause disruption or prevent unlawful actions toward users of international flights.”

Mr Mahmoud added that the new regulations should not inconvenience passengers too much.

“When packing things for travelling, don’t place liquids of more than 100ml in your hand luggage,” he advised.

“Liquids will be confiscated at the gate if they measure more than 100 ml,” he said.

The definition of liquids includes water, beverages, gels, pastes and the contents of pressurised containers such as toothpaste, hair gel, perfume, deodorant and shaving foam.

It also includes make-up such as mascara and lip-gloss, lotions, oils and sprays.

Medicines and special dietary requirements, including baby food are exempt, although names on the labels of prescription medication should match the name on the boarding pass.

Bahrain International Airport also recommends that passengers carry supporting documentation, such as letters from doctors, to help security staff decide whether the medication is exempt.

Once through security, passengers can buy items in the departures lounge. Duty free items are permitted in hand luggage provided they have been bought at an airport shop located in the sterile security restricted area or on board an aircraft.

The passenger must also have a receipt for them and they must be carried in a security sealed tamper-evident plastic bag provided by the shop from which it was bought.  

Transit passengers must also present liquids in a similar sized, transparent re-sealable plastic bag. Items purchased at originating airports will be re-screened at the transfer security check point.

Any items purchased at originating airports that are not in security tamper-evident plastic bags or without proof of purchase will be confiscated.

Neither Bahrain International Airport nor airlines will accept liability for items that have to be left behind or confiscated by security as a result of failing to comply with regulations.

Bahrain International Airport said the airport authority and airlines are working closely to minimise the impact on departing passengers and advised passengers to check in as early as possible during the initial stages of the implementation of the new regulations.