WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration is easing restrictions on bringing liquids, aerosols and gels aboard airplanes, officials said Monday, as long as they are purchased from shops past airport security checkpoints or are in small containers.
TSA chief Kip Hawley, speaking at a news conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, called the changes a common-sense approach which will "keep us at a high level of security but make it a little bit easier for passengers."
Under the new rules, which take effect today, carry-on toiletries such as shampoo and hand lotion are limited to 3-ounce containers and must all be placed in a one-quart zip-top clear plastic bag for screening. Since early August, such items were confiscated by screeners unless packed in checked luggage.
Passengers also will be allowed to carry aboard previously banned items, including coffee and water, if they are purchased in secure areas of the airport.
Severe restrictions on carry-on items were imposed Aug. 10 after British authorities announced they had arrested a group of suspected terrorists who were plotting to blow up U.S.-bound flights with liquid explosives.
"We now know enough to say that a total ban is no longer needed from a security point of view," Hawley said, citing explosives experiments by the FBI and other laboratories.
The Canadian government announced similar revisions that also took effect today. European countries are considering changes in their policies, according to officials at the Department of Homeland Security.
The announcement marks the second time the TSA has tweaked the regulations. The first change, made three days after the ban was imposed, allowed passengers to carry up to 5 ounces of glucose gel or other blood-sugar treatments, up to 4 ounces of "essential" liquid nonprescription medications, small amounts of baby formula or breast milk if traveling with an infant, and solid lipsticks.
Airline industry representatives and passenger advocacy groups reacted favorably to the announcement.
James C. May, president and chief executive of the Air Transport Assn. of America Inc., a trade group that represents U.S. airlines, said in a statement that his organization supported the "refinement of banned items ... because of TSA's security assessment and because it will reduce passenger inconvenience."
