Is the ban of liquids on planes preventing terrorism?

It's practicaly prohibited to take liquids onborad in the EU

If you're one of those travelers who gets frustrated by extra security measures at airports, you're not alone. It seems Europe's elected representatives think that we're taking security TOO far. The European Parliament in Strasbourg has just voted to scrap a ban on taking liquids on board planes, saying that the measure is an expensive mistake and that there's no proof that it helps prevents terrorists attacks on planes. But will the powers-that-be actually lift the ban? Radio Netherlands' Vanessa Mock reports:

These are busy days for airport customs officials. On any single day at Schipol Airport near Amsterdam, officials seize some 420 kilograms in drinks from passengers. Add to that 360 kilos of cosmetics like perfume bottles, and top it off with 60 kilos of aerosols like shaving mousse. So that's more than 800 kilos of liquids taken off travelers' hand luggage in a single day. The rules, introduced last year, have made air travel more time-consuming. But how do the travelers themselves feel about it?

“I think it’s a bit exaggerated. If you got commercial products that have been prepacked, like shaving foam and things like that and they are taken out of your hand luggage, I think that’s a nuisance and I don’t think it changes anything to security.”

The signs announcing the ban are sometimes quite creative

“I think every rule to improve the safety for the passengers is an improvement. So I’ve no problem with that.”

“I don’t think they’re evenly applied at all, you know, I just had two different destinations in one week, actually I had things that worked just fine on the international trips, and then I got onto a domestic flight and they weren’t acceptable.”

“This morning it was a problem. Can I take some toothpaste or not? I don’t know. Do you know it?”

It seems that many travelers still don't know the exact reason why liquids on board might be dangerous. And neither does the European Parliament. Its members have just voted in favor of a resolution to get rid of the security measure. Dutch MEP Kathalijn Buitenweg explains why:

“This measure's been taken and there's no evidence that it's very effective. On the contrary we're had a hearing with scientists who say it's more of a political move and if you look at the evidence there's no proof that this would help detect a possible bomb. Now, it's there's no evidence that this is an effective measure then we should have the courage also to review it and that's the position of parliament today. “

The discards table outside security at Heathrow Terminal

But there are plenty in the Parliament who insist that it's better to be safe than sorry. Michael Cashman is a Labour MEP from Britain, the country which called for extra security regulations after a string of terrorist attacks:

“When we get into a car, we put on a seat belt to prevent an accident. All these measures are precautionary. In the UK we actually captured a group of people who were assembling the very liquids, the very chemicals necessary to produce one of these bombs. These measures hopefully if they are successful will make certain that these attacks whether on aircraft do not occur... I don't want to be accused of not having taken the right measures once an atrocity has taken place.”

It's ultimately up to the European Commission in Brussels to decide whether to stick to the current rules when they come up for review later this autumn. But despite the political pressure from the Parliament and from airports like Schipol, which today welcomed efforts to lift the ban, EU Commission officials have so far indicated that they see no reason to change the rules. Kathalijn Buitenweg is angry:

“I find it very sad that the Commission is saying 'we'll continue with it despite that we have no evidence at all to back our claim that is boosting security. I hope that the EP will stimulate the debate and remind them that all measures need to be effective.”

So it seems that for now travellers will just have to get used to getting to the airport that little bit earlier and customs officials to working harder. Things might get easier thanks to more awareness from traveller, who have halved the number of drinks, shampoo and perfumes they try to carry on board in the past year.