Australia, New Zealand now restrict powder in hand bags, India may follow suit

NEW DELHI: Passengers flying to and from and transiting through the US, Australia and

New Zealand

will now face restrictions on carrying powder-like substances in their cabin/hand bags. The US Transport Security Administration enacted this rule after a foiled attempt to put an

improvised explosive device

using powder explosives on a Gulf carrier in Australia last year.

Senior officials of Indian carriers informal discussions have taken place at government level for similar restrictions on flights to, from and within India but there is no decision so far. Top aviation ministry and security sources say such a proposal has not been formally moved “as of now” but sources say similar restrictions may be placed here too. “Discussions have been held on the quantity that may be allowed and whether the restrictions should be on domestic and/or international flights to and from India. But our flights going to US and Australia will have to abide by restrictions imposed by those countries,” said a senior official.

A major Gulf

airline

’s website says: “In New Zealand, this restriction will commence at

Auckland Airport

on June 30, 2018 and will be introduced on all international flights departing Wellington,

Christchurch

,

Dunedin

and Queenstown airports from July 31, 2018. Customers are advised to place the powder-like substances in their checked bags.”

Duty-free powder containers inside properly sealed “secure tamper evident bag” may be allowed through the checkpoint. Powder like substance may be placed in checked baggage and transported in the baggage hold area of the aircraft, airlines say.