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European Union officials are reported to be discussing the possibility of severely limiting liquids being carried onto flights by passengers.

If the proposed new aviation security regulations are approved then they could see maximum levels placed on the amount of liquid passengers are allowed to take into the cabin onboard flights, with allowances made for duty free purchases.

EU officials are rumoured to be close to a decision on the proposals and transport commissioner Jacques Barrot has stated that he believes that the new rules, which allow small bottles containing liquids such as perfume or shampoo to be carried in hand luggage, will be passed.

Following last month's announcement that British police had foiled a terrorist plot to use liquid explosive to blow up transatlantic passenger planes travelling from the UK to America, much tighter restrictions were placed on items being taken into cabins on most flights.

Mr Barrot has ruled out a total ban on liquids in hand luggage, similar to that currently imposed on travellers entering the US, but said that measures 'proportional to the needs of security' were required in light of recent threats.

Countries around the world are currently imposing their own restrictions on hand luggage, with no international standard for increased security yet agreed upon.


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