A Europe-wide list of potential weapons banned from aircraft cabins was published yesterday - including skateboards, fishing rods and golf clubs.
The list becomes law in all EU countries on February 1st and was drawn up after consultation with all the member-states, an EU Commission official said.
Most of the items are already banned - from firearms and knives to scissors, fireworks and aerosol spray paint. But under the category of blunt instruments, the Commission list extends potentially dangerous weapons to hockey sticks, canoe paddles, and snooker cues, as well as skateboards, fishing rods, golf clubs and cricket bats.
All such items will be consigned to the holds of aircraft under what amounts to the first comprehensive agreed list to emerge since the threat to worldwide air travel after September 11th, 2001. EU Commission vice-president Loyola de Palacio said: "The primary purpose of the legislation is to give clear and unambiguous information to passengers flying from EU airports as to which items will be confiscated at airport security check points. - (PA)