RIYADH: Passengers flying from Saudi Arabia will not be allowed to carry fluids including shampoo, cream, and toothpaste from Saturday, the Kingdom’s aviation authority announced on Thursday.
Travelers will have to pack them in their check-in luggage, which includes jars and bottles of Zamzam water, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced on Thursday. “Passengers will be checked at all international and domestic airports to ensure that they are not carrying any liquid as per the rules and recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” said GACA spokesman Khaled Al-Khaibari.
“The ban on liquid items in hand luggage has been imposed only to ensure the safety and security for passengers on board,” he added.
He said essential items such as baby formula, medication, medical equipment and some humanitarian items would be exempt from the ban in small quantities. The ban will cover all types of liquid in glass, plastic or metal containers of over 1,000 milliliters. This also includes soft drinks and perfumes as well as gel, cream, shampoo, toothpaste and toiletries.
The GACA has urged passengers to comply with the new rules, as strict monitoring would be in place at all 26 airports in Saudi Arabia.
Planes from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh account for half of Saudi Arabia’s total flights.
A total of 71 international destinations are currently served from Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom also receives over 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world annually for Haj.
The GACA is responsible for regulating airports and ensuring they perform to the latest safety and security standards. The authority also develops and manages airport equipment and is tasked with implementing civil aviation rules.
The ICAO is a UN agency that develops the principles and techniques of international air navigation and plans safe international air transport.
