UK refuses to relax airline liquid ban

UK's government has postponed relaxing a ban on the carriage of liquids in airline hand luggage as warnings from airlines that the move would cause chaos and confusion at airports (The Guardian, 13-Apr-2011). Transport Secretary Philip Hammond announced that the first phase in lifting restrictions will not go ahead as planned on 29-Apr-2011, citing security concerns. Those travelling on long-haul services from outside the EU would have been allowed to carry duty free liquids on to connecting services at EU airports. Airlines and airport groups warned that the proposal would cause widespread delays as some terminals lack adequate screening equipment and some countries, such as France and Italy, are considering ignoring the 29-Apr-2011 deadline altogether.