The Transportation Security Administration
has relaxed its rules for airplane carry-on items and said it would
allow airline passengers to carry small amounts of liquids, gels
and aerosols onboard.
The agency said
that, effective Sept. 26, travelers would be allowed to carry
travel-sized toiletries, of three ounces or less, if they are
contained in one quart-sized, clear plastic zip-top
bags.
Travelers also
may bring on the aircraft beverages that they have purchased in the
secure areas of the airport.
The TSA said it
was "unlikely" that the restrictions on liquids and gels would be
changed further in the near future.
Kip Hawley, the
TSA's assistant secretary, said in a statement that the agency had
"learned enough from the U.K. investigation to say with confidence
that small, travel size liquids are safe to bring through security
checkpoints in limited numbers."
Larger amounts of
required medications, baby formula and diabetic glucose treatments
have been exempt from the liquid ban, although travelers must
present them to screeners at security checkpoints.
The TSA had
banned liquids, gels and lotions in carry-on bags Aug. 10, after
U.K. officials announced an investigation into a terrorist plots
involving transatlantic flights.
On Sept. 25, the
TSA said it also would be enhancing security measures throughout
airports, including adding more random screening of employees, more
canine patrols and tighter cargo screening, and deploying more
officers trained in bomb appraisal and screening by observation
techniques.
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