New rules on liquids in hand luggage from Monday

EU restrictions on liquids that can be carried into an airport departures lounge by passengers will come into force at Malta International Airport on Monday.

As part of their hand luggage, passengers will only be allowed to take liquids in individual containers with a maximum volume of 100ml and these must all be able to fit "comfortably" into a transparent plastic bag that is not larger than 18 by 20 centimetres.

Airport security officials will confiscate any liquid that is not in line with regulations, or that is not in a transparent plastic bag.

An information campaign is underway through the media informing passengers what they can and cannot take and leaflets will also be handed out at the airport.

The leaflets explain that liquids include gels, pastes, lotions, liquid-solid mixtures, contents of pressurised containers, toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, shaving foam, aerosols and items of similar consistency.

The MIA's head of security and administration services, Mario Cuomo, said: "The airport is considered as one of the safest in Europe and I do not want us to lose this reputation".

"Strictly speaking, most items that would have previously been carried in a toiletry bag need to be put in this plastic bag or checked in. People need to cooperate because we are duty bound to abide by the law to the letter," he said.

He said exceptions include baby food and medicines, which do not need to be put in the bag. However, mothers might be asked to taste the baby food and passengers carrying medicines may need to show a doctor's prescription and taste their medicine. Ideally, any over-the-counter medicines should be put in the bag.

Tougher EU-wide regulations have been in the pipeline since a security alert at London's Heathrow airport last August, in which police uncovered a plot by terrorists to take liquid explosives onto up to 10 aircraft and cause mid-flight explosions.

The restrictions are expected to remain in force for at least six months.

There will not be any size restrictions on liquids bought from shops after the security checks. Mr Cuomo explained that these items would have been thoroughly screened. However, passengers who have a connecting flight need to make sure that their items are sealed and that proof of purchase is attached to the bag.

Although the bags in question are available at supermarkets, passengers will also be able to buy them from the luggage-wrapping kiosk at the Departures Lounge.

New regulations on the size of hand luggage may be issued by the EU in May.