The additional measures came into effect on 31 March 2007.  Travellers on all international flights departing New Zealand, including flights that transit (that is, travel through) New Zealand, must comply with these measures.

The measures only apply to international flights.

However, if your international flight begins with a domestic flight, then you will still need to be prepared ahead of time.  Because your bags will be checked through to your final international destination when you check in for your domestic flight, you should ensure that the only liquids, aerosols and gels in your carry-on baggage are in 100ml containers and in a one litre re-sealable plastic bag.

Once you have checked in for your domestic flight, you will not have access to your bags until you reach your final destination, and you won’t be able to repack any items from your carry-on baggage before going through security screening at the international airport.

Screening for liquids, aerosols and gels is becoming a permanent feature of international air travel.  However, the actual screening procedures may change over time as technology is developed to detect liquid explosives

The measures only apply to international flights.

The measures are:

• Any liquids, aerosols and gels that passengers want to take in their carry-on baggage must be in containers of 100ml volume or less
• Containers larger than 100ml will not be permitted in carry-on baggage, even if there is only 100ml of liquid/gel in the larger container
• Passengers may carry as many 100ml containers as will fit comfortably in a single re-sealable transparent plastic bag of 1 litre volume (approximately 20cm by 20cm, or 8 inches by 8 inches)
• Each passenger, including children, will be allowed one transparent re-sealable plastic bag
• The plastic bag must be presented separately from all other carry-on baggage at the security screening points at ainternational airports
• Exceptions are in place for medicines, baby products and dietary supplements in liquid or gel form.  However, only reasonable amounts will be permitted in the cabin of the aircraft (ie enough for the journey as well as possible delays and flight diversions.

On 1 December 2006 the International Civil Aviation Organization recommended that all member states/countries introduce security measures to limit the quantity of liquids, gels and aerosols that can be carried onboard international flights.  It recommended that countries implement the measures by 1 March 2007.

Australia implemented the measures for all departing and arriving international flights on 31 March 2007.  New Zealand decided to implement the measures to all departing and transiting international flights from the same date.

These additional measures will protect the safety of all flights and passengers departing and arriving in New Zealand. 

In August 2005, UK authorities arrested a number of people they believed were planning to board aircraft with liquid explosives disguised as water bottles.  These liquid explosives could have been used to construct an explosive device onboard the aircraft, which could have destroyed the aircraft in-flight.

Since these events many countries have introduced restrictions on the amounts of liquids, aerosols and gels that can be carried into aircraft cabins on international flights.