Security at airports: banon duty-freegoods lifted

Passengers travelling from Irish airports to the US will be able to resume buying duty-free drink and perfumes from today.

Liquor and perfume products bought in the duty-free shopping areas will not be given to passengers immediately, but they will be able to pick them up in sealed bags as they go through the departure gate to board the aircraft.

The new arrangements have been agreed between the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and the US Transport Security Administration. The DAA last night urged passengers travelling to the US via Shannon to buy their liquor or perfume at Shannon.

The sale of liquor or perfume products to passengers travelling on transatlantic flights has been suspended in Irish airports since last week as a result of stricter security arrangements introduced by the US authorities.

"Passengers can make their purchases as normal in the duty-free shopping area. Where liquor and perfume are purchased, the bag will be sealed, passengers will then be given a receipt; a copy of this receipt will be attached to the bag. The bag will then be delivered to the passenger at a point near their boarding gate on production of their receipt," the DAA said in a statement.

Apart from items bought in duty-free shops, the current ban on transatlantic passengers bringing liquids, gels or aerosols on to aircraft is expected to remain in place for the present.

Products affected by this ban include beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and hair spray.

There have been no changes in security policy for hand baggage allowed on flights from Irish airports to the UK. Passengers are permitted to take one piece of baggage into the aircraft cabin provided that it is in accordance with airline weight restrictions, generally around 6kg.

Passengers departing from UK airports are only allowed to carry one small item of hand baggage through security search points.

This hand baggage should be no larger than 45cm wide x 35cm long x 16cm deep/high, including wheels, handles and side pockets.