New security measures at airports Company South Africa's three International Airports

From 01-Jun-07, Airports Company South Africa will begin enforcing the new international standards in terms of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs). All passengers travelling internationally will need to adhere to the new rules. Any liquids, aerosols or gels in a passenger's hand luggage must be in containers of maximum 100ml each or smaller. They must be packed in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, the total capacity of which cannot be larger than 1 litre.

ACSA's Duty Free shoppers are assured that they will be allowed to take their purchases on board their flight as these stores will carry approved plastic bags. ACSA has also ordered two thousand plastic bags, which will be handed out at international departures to travellers free of charge until the end of June. Discussions with manufacturing and retail industries to produce and avail the plastic bags are at an advanced stage.

Director of Operations at ACSA, Bongani Maseko, explained, "Security concerns posed by liquid explosives were highlighted to civil aviation operations all over the world following threats targeted at some United Kingdom flights in Aug-06. In response, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) issued a state letter recommending the interim guidelines for the screening of LAGs for implementation by States during the first half of 2007. In an effort to streamline security checks and processes, ACSA recommends that passengers should place all LAGs in their checked-in luggage. However, passengers that do decide to carry LAGs for various reasons need to take these regulations into account when planning their trips."