As part of a move to enhance New Zealand's contribution to global aviation security, laptop computers and other large electronic devices will soon be x-rayed separately at all international and some domestic airports.

From 31 March 2007, all passengers travelling on international and domestic flights where the Aviation Security Service applies security screening will need to remove laptops and other large electronic devices from their cabin baggage and place them in separate trays at the security screening points.

The items will then be screened separately from the cabin baggage.

This will assist Aviation Security Officers to x-ray cabin baggage more accurately, where the image will be a lot clearer as the density of laptops etc can make identification of other objects difficult.

The Aviation Security Service hopes the less cluttered x-ray images will also result in a smoother flow of passengers through security screening points.

Electronic equipment will not be damaged by airport screening equipment, although if passengers want extra peace of mind they should carry back-up copies of important information on separate disks or memory devices.

The requirement to present laptops and other electronic devices comes into effect on the same day that international travellers departing New Zealand will have to present any liquids, aerosols or gels they wish to take on board as part of their carry-on baggage in separate transparent resealable plastic bags (approximately 20cm by 20cm) and in containers no larger than 100 millilitres.

More information on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels is available from www.flysmart.govt.nz