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The Civil Aviation Department will impose new security measures for screening liquids, gels and aerosols in cabin baggage for all departing flights from the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) from March 21. The new measures are being implemented to comply with the new guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The Chief Operations Officer of the Civil Aviation Department, Mr Simon Li, and Head of Safety, Security, Environmental and Planning Services of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) Mr John Lamond outlined the new security measures at a press briefing today (February 27).
Mr Li said that for the safety of passengers, ICAO had recommended for adoption by States a set of new security control guidelines for screening liquids, gels and aerosols carried in cabin baggage. The guidelines were formulated by ICAO in light of a terrorist plot to smuggle liquid explosives onto aircraft which was foiled by the UK Government in August, 2006.
The new security measures for cabin baggage to be implemented at HKIA include:
1. All liquids, gels, aerosols in cabin baggage must be carried in containers with a capacity not greater than 100 ml. Liquids, gels, aerosols carried in containers larger than 100 ml will not be accepted, even if the container is only part-filled;
2. Containers have to be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag of a maximum capacity not exceeding one litre. The containers must fit comfortably within the transparent plastic bag, which should be completely closed;
3. The plastic bag has to be presented separately from other cabin baggage for visual examination at the screening point. Only one transparent plastic bag per passenger is permitted; and
4. Exemptions will be made for medications, baby milk/food and special dietary requirements subject to verification.
Explaining the details of enhanced security restrictions and operational readiness at HKIA, Mr Li said that as part of the global efforts, the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was committed to complying with the ICAO standards and recommended practises. "All passengers at HKIA will be subject to the new cabin baggage restrictions and are asked to be patient with the enhanced procedures in place."
Mr Lamond said the Airport Authority was committed to upholding the highest standard of safety and security. "We will continue to work closely with our services provider, i.e. the Aviation Security Company Limited (AVSECO), to ensure sufficient manpower and related facilities are in place to facilitate the implementation of the new security measures directed by the Civil Aviation Department."
The travelling public may consult their airlines and visit the websites of the department and AAHK (www.cad.gov.hk and www.hongkongairport.com) for information in relation to the new security measures at HKIA.
Ends/Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:00
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